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Definition of depress

depress

/dɪˈprɛs/
de · press
Adverb:depressingly
•
Adjective:depressive
•
Past Simple:depressed
•
Past Participle:depressed
•
Present Participle:depressing
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depress Lexical Profile

depress Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To cause someone to feel utterly dispirited, dejected, or sad.

Example

"The weeks of uninterrupted gray rain began to depress the entire household."

2

To reduce the level of activity, value, or strength in a market, economy, or physiological system.

Example

"An oversupply of housing on the market tends to depress property values across the region."

3

To push or press an object, such as a button, lever, or pedal, down into a lower position.

Example

"You must fully depress the clutch pedal before shifting into first gear."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for depress

• Rhymes for depress

• Nearby Words

deprecation
depreciate
depreciation
depress
depressant
depressed
depressing

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in Middle English from Old French depresser, from Latin depressus, the past participle of deprimere ('to press down'), formed from de- ('down') and premere ('to press').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Depress. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/depress
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