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Depress Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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depress

[dɪˈprɛs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

feeling

Make (someone) feel utterly dispirited or dejected.

Synonyms

demoralize, dishearten, sadden.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
depress

Used to describe a state of extreme unhappiness or to make someone feel very unhappy. Often used in a clinical or serious context when referring to feelings of deep sadness or hopelessness.

  • The news about the natural disaster deeply depressed her.
  • Long periods of rain and dark clouds can depress some people.
sadden

Used when someone feels sorrow or grief, usually in response to specific situations or events that are emotionally moving or tragic.

  • The passing of her childhood pet saddened her deeply.
  • It always saddens me to see homeless people struggling.
dishearten

Used when someone loses hope or enthusiasm. This suggests a more temporary feeling than 'depress' and is generally milder in tone.

  • The slow progress on the project began to dishearten the volunteers.
  • Seeing the decline in support disheartened the candidate.
demoralize

Used when someone's confidence or morale is completely destroyed, often used in the context of challenges or setbacks where the person's motivation is significantly lowered.

  • The continued failures demoralized the team.
  • The harsh criticism from his coach demoralized him before the match.

Examples of usage

  • He was depressed by the news of his father's death.
  • She felt depressed after failing the exam.
Context #2 | Verb

economy

Reduce the level or strength of economic activity.

Synonyms

decrease, diminish, lower.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
depress

Used when talking about causing someone to feel sad or to reduce the effectiveness or strength of something like the economy. Often carries a negative connotation.

  • The sad news did nothing but depress him further.
  • High interest rates can depress economic growth.
lower

Used to describe making something less in terms of height, degree, or value. It is commonly used in a practical, everyday context.

  • Please lower the blinds to keep the room cool.
  • They decided to lower the prices to attract more customers.
decrease

Used when talking about a reduction in number, size, amount, or degree. It is a general term and can be neutral.

  • The company's profits decreased by 10% this quarter.
  • There has been a significant decrease in crime rates.
diminish

Used when referring to the reduction in size, importance, or intensity of something. Often implies a gradual reduction and sometimes carries a slightly negative connotation.

  • His influence in the company began to diminish after the scandal.
  • The medication should diminish the pain over time.

Examples of usage

  • The recession depressed consumer spending.
  • The pandemic depressed the stock market.
Context #3 | Noun

mental health

A mental condition characterized by feelings of severe despondency and dejection.

Synonyms

despair, melancholy, sadness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
depress

Used when referring to a strong feeling of sadness or a situation that lowers someone's mood.

  • This bad news will only depress him further
  • The gloomy weather can depress people's spirits
melancholy

Describes a deep, pensive sadness, often accompanied by a reflective nuance. It can sometimes be a beautiful or poetic kind of sadness.

  • The old photographs brought a feeling of melancholy
  • He spoke with a tone of melancholy about his childhood
sadness

A general term for a feeling of sorrow or unhappiness. It's more commonly used and can be applied in many different situations.

  • She felt great sadness at the news of his departure
  • Sadness filled the room after the announcement
despair

Best used when describing extreme sadness or a complete loss of hope, often in hopeless or tragic situations.

  • She was in despair after losing her job
  • He felt a sense of despair during the long war

Examples of usage

  • She was diagnosed with clinical depression.
  • He is seeking therapy for his depression.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Mental Health

  • Depression is recognized as a common mental health disorder that affects millions of people worldwide.
  • Symptoms can vary widely; they may include feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or a lack of interest in activities one used to enjoy.
  • There are various treatments available, including therapy and medication, tailored to individual needs.

Cultural Representation

  • Literature often explores themes of depression, with characters who face internal struggles reflecting real-life experiences.
  • Many songs and movies address depression, helping to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health issues.

Psychology

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a common approach used to help individuals manage and overcome depressive thoughts.
  • Research shows that physical activity can help reduce symptoms of depression, as endorphins released during exercise boost mood.

Physics

  • In physics, to depress a button means to press it down, illustrating the dual meaning of the word across different fields.
  • The term is also used in various scientific contexts to describe a decrease in a quantity, such as pressure or volume.

Origin of 'depress'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from Latin 'deprimere', meaning 'to press down' or 'to lower'.
  • In Old French, it was 'depresser', which also relates to the idea of pushing something down.

The word 'depress' originated from the Latin word 'deprimere', which means 'press down'. It first appeared in the English language in the 14th century. Over time, the meaning evolved to include the emotional sense of feeling dispirited or dejected. The word has been used in various contexts, from describing a mental health condition to economic activities.

See also: express, impress, oppress, press, pressing, pressingly, pressings, pressure, pressuring, repress, repressed.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,340, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.