depressed

adjective

de·​pressed di-ˈprest 

dē-

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

4

: being below the standard

Synonyms

• concave
• dented
• dished
• hollow
• indented
• recessed
• sunken

Examples of depressed in a Sentence

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

Many people were really unhappy, depressed and angry, frustrated. —Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 9 Jan. 2025

If Richard wanted to die, suicide-by-cop is sometimes a choice for those who are desperate and depressed. —Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025

The immersive effort of preparing for the role, moving out of his New York apartment, avoiding friends, and starving himself to understand loss and isolation, left him depressed and exhausted. —Wendell Steavenson, Vogue, 5 Jan. 2025

In Don’t Die, Johnson describes being successful on paper but feeling both physically ill and incredibly depressed, a condition that led him to both leave the church and get a divorce. —Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 3 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing depressed

• clinically depressed

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 

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