depressant
noun
de·pres·sant
di-ˈpre-sᵊnt 
dē-
: one that depresses
specifically
: an agent that reduces a bodily functional activity or an instinctive desire (such as appetite)
depressant
adjective
Examples of depressant in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Alcohol can act as a depressant, exacerbating feelings of anxiety or low mood.
—
Lela London, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
This category includes the depressants Valium, Xanax and Ativan, among others.
Antipsychotics, a class of drug that addresses psychosis symptoms in a variety of ways.
Antidepressants, which relieve symptoms of depression by affecting neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine.
—Ashley Bradford, The Conversation, 10 Jan. 2025
Taking Vicodin or Percocet with CNS depressants can cause severe drowsiness, decreased awareness, breathing problems, coma, and death.
—Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 3 Jan. 2025
Alcohol is a depressant that can cause feelings of anxiety, sadness and depression.
—Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for depressant
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Lela London, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
This category includes the depressants Valium, Xanax and Ativan, among others.
Antipsychotics, a class of drug that addresses psychosis symptoms in a variety of ways.
Antidepressants, which relieve symptoms of depression by affecting neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine.
—Ashley Bradford, The Conversation, 10 Jan. 2025
Taking Vicodin or Percocet with CNS depressants can cause severe drowsiness, decreased awareness, breathing problems, coma, and death.
—Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 3 Jan. 2025
Alcohol is a depressant that can cause feelings of anxiety, sadness and depression.
—Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for depressant
Cite this Entry
“Depressant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depressant. Accessed 8 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
depressant
noun
de·pres·sant
di-ˈpres-ᵊnt
: a substance (as a drug) that reduces the activity of bodily systems
depressant
adjective
Medical Definition
depressant
2 of 2 noun
: one that depresses
specifically
: an agent that reduces bodily functional activity or an instinctive desire (as appetite)
a depressant of intestinal spasm
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