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
• hollow
• 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

Unemployment has stayed relatively low in part because of dampened demand for workers as well as a depressed supply (people aging out of the workforce as well as reductions in immigrant workers). —Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025

This time producer Brad Ingelsby tapped Mark Ruffalo as a depressed and traumatized FBI agent leading a task force investigating a series of home invasions targeting drug dens in the area. —Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025

Dean Summers, the brother of one of Daniel’s neighbors, testified at his trial that, prior to Violet’s death, Daniel was deeply depressed. —Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025

The lower level of consumer confidence manifests itself in consumer intentions to purchase a home or auto, both of which are now at depressed levels. —Robert Barone, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing depressed

• clinically depressed

Rhymes for depressed

• acquiesced
• coalesced
• dispossessed
• manifest
• overdressed
• overstressed
• prepossessed
• reassessed
• reinvest
• repossessed
• unaddressed
• uncompressed

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