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

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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

Unsurprisingly, the depressing cake didn’t draw much interest from Rodriguez or anyone else in the ESPN booth. Jon Tayler, SI.com, "The Approach to MLB's Trade Deadline Has Been Boring. Sound Familiar?," 30 July 2019 Although the book is billed as the fifth installment in the Brodie series, the brooding, modern-day white knight isn't the protagonist of this alternately depressing, inspiring and slyly funny tale. Bruce Desilva, Dallas News, "A vile conspiracy is taken down in long-awaited novel 'Big Sky'," 25 June 2019 Things would have been pretty depressing for them considering the way the 2023 squad began this season. Mike Nortrup, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Rec Sports Spotlight: Check-Hers 2023 ‘had a lot of fun’ during spring/summer lacrosse season," 27 July 2019 But a ballot without Trump could depress turnout among Republican voters in the Golden State’s top-two primary, a perilous prospect for the party’s down-ballot candidates next year. Casey Tolan, The Mercury News, "California 2020 Countdown: Trump tax returns debate, Buttigieg and Inslee hit Bay Area," 25 July 2019 Job growth is a magnet for migration from poorer regions of Mexico, but that depresses wages. Elisabeth Malkin, New York Times, "As Mexico Election Nears, Call for Change Finds Wider Audience," 26 June 2018 Stress has far-reaching effects on both body and mind, churning out hormones that can depress everything from your mood to your metabolism. Andrea Thelen, Ms, Detroit Free Press, "5 tips to rev up your metabolism," 30 Apr. 2018 This year, for instance, Republicans are likely to be locked out of elections for both governor and Senate, which could depress GOP turnout statewide. Alex Seitz-wald, NBC News, "Democrats are having a banner recruiting year — and it could cost them," 4 Feb. 2018 There hasn't been much regulatory or consumer pressure to increase recycling rates, depressing the supply of cardboard to be recycled. Lydia Depillis, CNN, "Amazon's incredible, vanishing cardboard box," 16 July 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

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

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