depress

verb

di-ˈpres How to pronounce depress (audio)
Definition of depressnext
1
as in to oppress
to make sad the thought of once again failing the bar exam depressed me

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to throw
to cause to fall intentionally or unintentionally construction workers depressed the roadbed in order to make way for an overpass

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to reduce
to diminish the price or value of the glut of wheat on the market has depressed that commodity for most of the past year

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to press
to push steadily against with some force depressed the lever to start the machine

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of depress Affordability has broadly been depressed since 2022, when mortgage rates started increasing significantly, according to Atlanta Fed data. — Sharon Epperson,stephanie Dhue, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026 Taxes can’t go up forever without wrecking economic growth, which would depress revenue along with household incomes. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2026 The knob twists and depresses like a button (with programmable options for both a short and long press). — Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 3 Aug. 2026 But that’s forcing them to wrestle with the idea that any action taken by a party is illegitimate, anti-democratic rigging — something the other team can use to depress the base. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for depress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depress
  1. oppress
  2. throw
  3. reduce
  4. press
  5. sadden
  6. drop
  7. shove
  8. burden
Verb
  • And women, being oppressed in that way in that realm, have been able nonetheless to engage with the more emotional maturity.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Claiming that other people expressing their civil rights is oppressing them, and politicizing what are supposed to be non-partisan parts of how the government works on the state and federal level.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026
Definition of oppress
Verb
  • Pintaro throws a cutter that Houston’s coaching staff thought would match up well with Wade’s swing.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Fletcher and Takeshita threw hands in the middle of the ring to the delight of Wembley Stadium.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of throw
Verb
  • Its movements and squeaks change in response to the person interacting with it, giving caregivers another way to reduce distress and encourage engagement.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • For instance, a creditor might bid $35,000 for a $50,000 SUV, reducing the judgment by that amount, then sell it for $50,000, pocketing $15,000.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of reduce
Verb
  • If wokeness isn’t the most pressing matter in this year’s election, neither were the other golden oldies DeSantis recalled to regale the ballroom crowd at TPepin’s Hospitality Centre about his eight years in office.
    — Michael Van Sickler, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Fred Siegel Loss of income is one stressor of being laid off, but just as pressing is figuring out healthcare coverage, a necessity for women at this point of postpartum as well as for their newborns.
    — Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of press
Verb
  • After Panettiere’s passing, Neutrogena released a statement saying the company is deeply saddened by her death.
    — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • We are saddened to learn about the passing of former Met Butch Huskey.
    — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of sadden
Verb
  • The informant cut a deal with prosecutors to record Vaughn and testify against him in exchange for drug charges against him being dropped.
    — Brett Barrouquere, Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Recent drone deliveries have not been flawless — a video spread across the internet earlier this month after an Amazon drone dropped a Texas customer’s package into her swimming pool.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of drop
Verb
  • After the ritual face-to-face pose, Hrgovic stepped in front of Itauma and began posing for the cameras, prompting Itauma to shove him off the stage.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • There have been many advertisements over the years with men tackling or shoving women.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of shove
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Fed policy uncertainty, the Middle East situation, and an earnings season burdened with high expectations could all act as catalysts for fresh turbulence.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The two deaths linked to measles that Pennsylvania health officials announced this week set off a flurry of political sparring, misinformation and confusion that only added to the tension over the country’s highest measles burden in 35 years.
    — Jason Kane, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of burden

Browse Nearby Words

depredators
depress
depressant
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Cite this Entry

“Depress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depress. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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