depress
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to make sad or gloomy; lower in spirits; deject; dispirit.
- Synonyms:
- sadden, discourage, dishearten
-
to lower in force, vigor, activity, etc.; weaken; make dull.
-
to lower in amount or value.
-
to put into a lower position.
to depress the muzzle of a gun.
-
to press down.
-
Music. to lower in pitch.
verb
-
to lower in spirits; make gloomy; deject
-
to weaken or lower the force, vigour, or energy of
-
to lower prices of (securities or a security market)
-
to press or push down
-
to lower the pitch of (a musical sound)
-
obsolete to suppress or subjugate
Related Words
See oppress.
Other Word Forms
- depressibility noun
- depressible adjective
- overdepress verb (used with object)
- undepressible adjective
Etymology
Origin of depress
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English depressen, from Anglo-French, Old French depresser, from Latin dēpressus “pressed down” (past participle of dēprimere, equivalent to de- de- + -primere, combining form of premere “to press”); pressure
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Despite potential benefits, risks include depressed demand leading to losses for oil-based production, even with higher chemical prices.
From Barron's
It’s hard to decide whether to be infuriated by Mr. Steele or depressed by him.
Essentially, Ponzi would buy stamps in Italy using the depressed lira, and redeem them for U.S. dollars at—he claimed—a net profit of 400%.
From Barron's
Essentially, Ponzi would buy stamps in Italy using the depressed lira, and redeem them for U.S. dollars at—he claimed—a net profit of 400%.
From Barron's
“It’s a bit depressing knowing it’s nearly impossible for me to buy my own place,” he said, “even though I’m so grateful.”
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
