depressed

1 of 2

adjective

de·​pressed di-ˈprest How to pronounce depressed (audio)
dē-
Synonyms of depressed
1
: low in spirits : sad
especially : affected by psychological depression
2
a
: vertically flattened
a depressed cactus
b
: having the central part lower than the margin
c
: lying flat or prostrate
d
: dorsoventrally flattened
3
: suffering from economic depression
especially : underprivileged
living in a depressed area
4
: being below the standard
Prices remain at a depressed level.

depressed

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of depress

Synonyms of depressed

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Adjective

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Examples of depressed in a Sentence

Adjective The rainy weather had her feeling lonely and depressed. He was depressed about having to return to school. The new drug is being tested on a group of severely depressed patients. living in a depressed area The patient has a somewhat depressed appetite. Prices have remained at a depressed level.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Celebrated as masterpieces today, at the time they were regarded as the unpolished works of a depressed, crazy man and commercially worthless. — Joan Martelli, Time, 17 Oct. 2026 In the event of a severe winter or import bottlenecks, depressed storage levels not only narrow Europe's capacity to absorb supply shocks but also risk driving natural gas prices higher. — CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026 In this version of the story, Ho-seok (Sul) has scaled a crane to protest the layoffs at his company, and Mi-ok (Jeon) is severely depressed. — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 At the risk of sounding clinically depressed, nothing important is happening in my life. — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for depressed

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of depressed was in 1530

Phrases Containing depressed

Rhymes for depressed

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Browse Nearby Words

depressant
depressed
depressed arch
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Cite this Entry

“Depressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depressed. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

depressed

adjective
de·​pressed
1
a
: low in spirits : sad
b
: suffering from mental depression
2
: suffering from economic depression

Medical Definition

depressed

adjective
de·​pressed di-ˈprest How to pronounce depressed (audio)
1
: low in spirits
specifically : affected by psychological depression
a severely depressed patient
2
a
: having the central part lower than the margin
a depressed pustule
b
: dorsoventrally flattened
the tapeworm is a depressed animal—R. A. Wardle & J. A. McLeod
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