depress
/dɪˈpres/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈpres/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈpres dē-/ (ame, mw)
depress — verb
- depresspresent simple I / you / we / they
- depresseshe / she / it
- depressedpast simple
- depressing-ing form
1. to make someone feel very sad, discouraged, or lacking in energy and hope
to make someone feel very sad, discouraged, or lacking in energy and hope
The news of his uncle's illness depressed Bilal for several weeks.
Watching the rain fall all afternoon depressed the children, who had planned to play outside.
depress + person affected by a situation
It depressed Heather to see her favourite park covered in litter after the festival.
Living alone in a new city without friends can depress even the most cheerful person.
Jude felt that the constant criticism from his manager was beginning to depress his spirit.
- sadden
similar meaning but less intense and more temporary; 'sadden' does not imply loss of hope
- discourage
focuses on loss of confidence or willingness to act, not necessarily sadness
- dishearten
more formal; emphasises loss of hope or enthusiasm over sadness
- weigh down
phrasal verb; suggests a gradual, heavy feeling rather than a sudden emotion
- cheer up
to become or make someone happier
- lift one's spirits
idiom meaning to make someone feel happier or more hopeful
- encourage
to give someone confidence or hope
文法句型
depress + object (person)
用法筆記
Commonly used in the passive voice ('be depressed by') to describe a lasting emotional state rather than a temporary reaction. Distinguished from sense 1 of 'sadden' by implying a deeper or longer-lasting lowering of mood.
常見錯誤
2. to cause the value of money, shares, prices, or other financial measures to fall
to cause the value of money, shares, prices, or other financial measures to fall
The strong dollar depressed the value of the yen against other major currencies.
Low consumer demand has depressed house prices across the entire region.
depress + prices (financial context)
News of the company's financial losses depressed its share price by nearly fifteen percent.
An oversupply of oil on the global market depressed fuel prices for several months.
Political uncertainty in the region depressed the local currency against the dollar.
- devalue
more specific; usually refers to official reduction of a currency's value by government action
- lower
broader and less formal; can refer to any reduction, not just financial
- reduce
neutral; does not carry the negative connotation of unfair or artificial lowering
- undermine
suggests gradual erosion of value through loss of confidence
文法句型
depress + object (price, value, currency, market)
用法筆記
Typically used in financial journalism and economic analysis. Subject is usually a market force (supply, demand, currency strength) rather than a person. The object is always a financial measure — price, value, currency, shares, or bonds.
3. to cause a slowdown in business activity, trade, or economic growth
to cause a slowdown in business activity, trade, or economic growth
High interest rates depressed business activity throughout the manufacturing sector.
depress + business activity
The prolonged strike at the port depressed trade for nearly two months.
Government cuts to research funding depressed innovation in the technology industry.
Ongoing political uncertainty depressed economic growth across Southeast Asia.
Harsh winter weather depressed retail sales at shops and restaurants downtown.
- slow
less formal; focuses on reduction in speed or pace rather than volume
- weaken
suggests a loss of strength in economic activity
- dampen
implies a partial reduction rather than a full decline; often used with 'demand' or 'enthusiasm'
- stifle
stronger; suggests active suppression that prevents normal growth
文法句型
depress + object (trade, industry, activity, growth)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2: this sense affects the volume or pace of activity (trade, sales, growth), not the monetary value of assets. Common in economics, business reporting, and policy discussion.
常見錯誤
4. to reduce the level, amount, rate, or yield of something
to reduce the level, amount, rate, or yield of something
The drought depressed water levels in the reservoir to a record low.
depress + level (of water, temperature, etc.)
Cold weather depressed attendance at the outdoor concert by about thirty percent.
This medication depresses the activity of the central nervous system.
Poor harvests depressed the farmers' total income for the second year in a row.
The new speed limits depressed the average speed of traffic on the highway.
文法句型
depress + object (level, amount, rate, yield)
用法筆記
More general and less domain-specific than senses 2 and 3. The object can be any measurable quantity (levels, rates, yields, averages, counts). Often used in scientific, medical, or statistical contexts.
5. to apply downward pressure on a button, lever, pedal, or similar mechanical cont
to apply downward pressure on a button, lever, pedal, or similar mechanical control
To start the machine, depress the red button on the front control panel.
depress + button / lever / pedal
The dentist asked Andrés to depress his tongue gently with a wooden stick.
Naoko depressed the clutch pedal with her left foot and shifted into first gear.
Depress the lever slowly until you hear a soft clicking sound from inside.
The nurse depressed the plunger on the syringe to release the medicine.
文法句型
depress + object (button, lever, pedal, key)
用法筆記
The original, most literal sense of 'depress'. More formal and technical than common verbs like 'push' or 'press'. Used especially in technical manuals, medical instructions, and driving contexts. Common in passive instructions ('the button should be depressed').