English Dictionary

Definition of “depress

depress (dɪˈprɛsPronunciation for depress

Definitions

verb (tr)

  1. to lower in spirits; make gloomy; deject
  2. to weaken or lower the force, vigour, or energy of
  3. to lower prices of (securities or a security market)
  4. to press or push down
  5. to lower the pitch of (a musical sound)
  6. obsolete to suppress or subjugate

Alternative Forms

deˈpressible adjective

Word Origin

C14: from Old French depresser,  from Latin dēprimere  from de- + premere to pressC14: from Old French from Latin from + to 1

Synonyms

View thesaurus entry
= sadden, upset, distress, chill, discourage, grieve, daunt, oppress, desolate, weigh down, cast down, bring tears to your eyes make sad dishearten, dispirit, make your heart bleed aggrieve, deject, make despondent cast a gloom upon harsh someone's mellow or buzz
= press down, push, squeeze, lower, flatten, compress, push down, bear down on

Usage examples

  • The only person I don't seem to depress is Alice, and that's because she's even gloomier than me.
    Fay Weldon, THE PRESIDENT'S CHILD (2003)
  • Fully equity-financed project will depress EPS in the initial stages.
    Business Today (1996)
  • Helping to depress U. S. markets was the latest reading on the American manufacturing sector from the Institute for Supply Management.
    canada.com (2004)
  • Head teachers believe he wanted to depress marks to head off claims that the exams are getting too easy.
    Sun, News of the World (2002)
  • Stress and unhappiness, whether from a physical or mental cause, can severely depress the immune system.
    Lamplugh, Diana & Sterwin, Diana & Nottidge, Pamela, Survive the Nine to Five - a woman's guide to working well (1989)

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