depress
[verb]
Synonyms:
- sadden, deject, discourage, dishearten, dispirit, make despondent, oppress, weigh down
- lower, cheapen, depreciate, devalue, diminish, downgrade, lessen, reduce
- press down, flatten, level, lower, push down

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Antonyms: elate, exhilarate, cheer
Contrasted words: delight, gladden, gratify, please, rejoice, excite, inspire, stimulate, brighten, cheer up, encourage, buoy, elevate
Related Words: ail, distress, trouble, afflict, torment, try, contrist, deject, discourage, dishearten, dispirit, bother, disturb, perturb, upset

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

de‧press AC /dɪˈpres/ verb [transitive]
[Word Family: adjective: depressed, depressing, depressant, depressive; noun: depression, depressant, depressive; verb: depress; adverb: depressingly]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: depresser, from Latin premere 'to press']

1. to make someone feel very unhappy ⇒ depression:
The thought of taking the exam again depressed him.
It depresses me that nobody seems to care.

2. to prevent an economy from being as active and successful as it usually is ⇒ depression:
Several factors combined to depress the American economy.

3. formal to press something down, especially a part of a machine:
Depress the clutch fully.

REGISTER
In everyday English, people usually say they push (down) or press (down) a button rather than depress it:
Push this button for cold water.
Push the clutch down fully.

4. formal to reduce the value of prices or wages:
High interest rates may depress share prices.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲