Synonyms of depress

depress

verb

di-ˈpres 

1

as in to oppress

to make sad

the thought of once again failing the bar exam depressed me

Synonyms & Similar Words

• oppress
• sadden
• burden
• worry
• trouble
• deject
• bum (out)
• bother
• weigh down
• torture
• concern
• disturb
• get down
• distress
• discourage
• afflict
• upset
• ail
• torment
• unsettle
• dishearten
• dash
• perturb
• unnerve
• demoralize
• daunt
• dispirit
• agitate
• discomfort
• undo
• unhinge
• dismay
• exercise
• discompose
• disquiet
• freak (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lighten
• brighten
• rejoice
• assure
• stimulate
• gladden
• enliven
• invigorate
• reassure
• buoy
• animate
• soothe
• excite
• cheer (up)
• inspire
• comfort
• encourage
• console
• please
• lift
• elevate
• gratify
• delight
• uplift
• solace
• elate
• boost
• hearten
• exhilarate

2

as in to throw

to cause to fall intentionally or unintentionally

construction workers depressed the roadbed in order to make way for an overpass

Synonyms & Similar Words

• throw
• drop
• lower
• flatten
• throw down
• topple
• floor
• level
• strike down
• sink
• submerge
• fumble
• plop
• immerse
• knock down
• knock over
• plunk down
• bungle
• foozle
• bobble

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• raise
• lift
• pick up

3

as in to reduce

to diminish the price or value of

the glut of wheat on the market has depressed that commodity for most of the past year

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reduce
• lower
• attenuate
• devalue
• sink
• cheapen
• shrink
• devaluate
• depreciate
• downgrade
• write down
• mark down
• write off
• break
• debase
• undervalue
• underestimate
• underrate
• compress
• lessen
• underprice
• deflate
• abridge
• demonetize
• dwindle
• downsize
• moderate
• contract
• de-escalate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• enhance
• appreciate
• upgrade
• inflate
• mark up
• increase
• blow up
• overestimate
• add
• extend
• augment
• raise
• expand
• heighten
• maximize
• enlarge
• amplify
• multiply
• swell
• boost
• escalate
• dilate
• bloat
• overrate
• overvalue
• compound
• up
• overprice
• aggrandize
• balloon

4

as in to press

to push steadily against with some force

depressed the lever to start the machine

Synonyms & Similar Words

• press
• shove
• compress
• bear (down on)
• weigh (on or upon)
• compel
• force
• squeeze
• pressure
• punch
• mash
• propel
• muscle
• thrust
• squish
• constrict
• squash
• wring
• lean (on or against)
• squoosh
• condense
• drive
• wedge
• compact
• crush
• stuff
• cram
• jam
• contract
• scrunch
• pack
• jam-pack

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of depress

The throuple moved into faculty housing, where Lakofski withered, depressed by life in a conventional apartment. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 30 Sep. 2026

Growth in the world’s second-largest economy softened to its slowest in more than three years in the second quarter, as a multiyear property downturn continued to depress consumer demand and investment in real estate and infrastructure. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026

But recessions had a way of tightening belts and depressing clutch pedals. — Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 14 Sep. 2026

Idaho Dairymen’s Association CEO Rick Naerebout told the Statesman that over the years there has been frustration in the industry with Canada over dairy regulations and trade policies depressing world market prices. — Idaho Statesman, 3 Sep. 2026