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depress

verb
de·​press | \ di-ˈpres How to pronounce depress (audio) , dē-\
depressed; depressing; depresses

Definition of depress

transitive verb

1 obsolete : repress, subjugate
2a : to press down depress a typewriter key
b : to cause to sink to a lower position
3 : to lessen the activity or strength of drugs that may depress the appetite
4 : sadden, discourage don't let the news depress you
5 : to decrease the market value or marketability of
Other Words from depress Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about depress

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Other Words from depress

depressible \ di-​ˈpre-​sə-​bəl How to pronounce depressible (audio) , dē-​ \ adjective

Examples of depress in a Sentence

The news seemed to depress him a little. I don't mean to depress you, but there's no way we can win. We were all depressed by the loss. You shouldn't let this kind of problem depress you. These changes could depress the economy. Market conditions are likely to depress earnings in the next quarter. depressing the price of a stock Slowly depress the car's brake pedal. Depress the “shift” key on your keyboard. The doctor will depress your tongue and look at your throat.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Forecasters had expected that to depress July sales to the United States. — Joe Mcdonald, BostonGlobe.com, "China’s trade with US shrinks as tariff war worsens," 8 Sep. 2019 Companies producing more than 90% of America’s chicken have conspired to depress wages for a largely immigrant workforce in some of the nation’s most dangerous jobs, according to a lawsuit. — Los Angeles Times, "U.S. chicken industry accused of conspiring to keep immigrant wages down," 3 Sep. 2019 Such a ploy to depress real interest rates in order to boost consumption, which accounts for nearly 60% of India’s GDP, may turn counter productive, and could potentially lead to another down cycle for banks. — Anand James, Quartz India, "Foreign investors are still not enthused by Modi government’s latest policy boost," 29 Aug. 2019 But multiple problems conspired to depress early sales, including a shortage of licensed places to buy it, a wobbly supply chain and the perseverance of a tax-free, illicit marketplace. — Michael R. Blood, chicagotribune.com, "California pot taxes tick up but miss initial projections," 26 Aug. 2019 Harwell said Conger appeared to be depressed the few days leading up to being reported missing. — Gabriella Khalaj, azcentral, "Founder of Twitter Philanthropy offers $10K reward for missing Scottsdale veteran," 26 Aug. 2019 One final warning: Don't try to depress the plunger by hand and squeeze the adhesive deeper into the glass with either kit. — Mike Allen, Popular Mechanics, "How to Repair Your Cracked Windshield," 27 June 2019 But questions have been raised about that explanation, and Ross has been accused of trying to depress minority responses for political purposes. — CBS News, "Citizenship question will not be added to census for now, Supreme Court rules," 27 June 2019 Hudson says he was depressed at Michigan—there is the mitigating circumstance. — Michael Rosenberg, SI.com, "Harbaugh-Fickell Drama Lays Bare the Real Problem With the NCAA's Waiver Rule," 16 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'depress.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of depress

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for depress

Middle English, from Middle French depresser, from Latin depressus, past participle of deprimere to press down, from de- + premere to press — more at press

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More Definitions for depress

depress

verb
How to pronounce depress (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of depress

: to make (someone) feel sad : to make (someone) depressed
: to decrease the activity or strength of (something)
formal : to press (something) down

See the full definition for depress in the English Language Learners Dictionary

depress

verb
de·​press | \ di-ˈpres How to pronounce depress (audio) \
depressed; depressing

Kids Definition of depress

1 : to press down Depress the “enter” key.
2 : to make sad or discouraged Don't let the news depress you.
3 : to lessen the activity or strength of Bad weather had depressed sales.

depress

transitive verb
de·​press | \ di-ˈpres How to pronounce depress (audio) \

Medical Definition of depress

1 : to diminish the activity, strength, or yield of able to depress irritability of the heart muscle by the use of such a drug as procaine
2 : to lower in spirit or mood

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