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Meaning & use

antidepressant

noun, adjective·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˌæntidɪˈpresənt/
US/ˌæntidɪˈpresənt/

Meanings

  1. nouncountablemedical

    A drug that doctors prescribe to treat depression and sometimes anxiety or chronic pain.

    Grammar: A countable noun: take an antidepressant, take antidepressants.

    Patterns

    • take an antidepressant
    • be on antidepressants
    • prescribe an antidepressant

    She has been taking an antidepressant for six months.

    Some antidepressants take a few weeks to start working.

    The doctor prescribed an antidepressant along with talking therapy.

  2. adjectivebefore a nounmedical

    Used before a noun to describe a drug or treatment that relieves depression.

    Grammar: Only used before a noun; you cannot say 'the drug is antidepressant'.

    Patterns

    • antidepressant medication
    • antidepressant drugs
    • antidepressant treatment

    He was given antidepressant medication after his diagnosis.

    Antidepressant drugs can interact with other medicines.

    The clinic offers antidepressant treatment and counseling.

Word forms

pluralantidepressants

Common combinations

take an antidepressant
She takes an antidepressant every morning.
be on antidepressants
He has been on antidepressants since last year.
prescribe an antidepressant
The doctor prescribed an antidepressant for her symptoms.
antidepressant medication
Antidepressant medication helped him feel more like himself.
a course of antidepressants
She completed a six-month course of antidepressants.

Synonyms and how they differ

medication
A general word for any medicine; antidepressant is more specific and names the purpose.
drug
A broad term for any substance that changes the body; antidepressant is a medical drug for depression.

Word family

depression noun
A medical condition marked by deep sadness and loss of interest.
depressed adjective
Feeling very sad and without energy, often as a medical condition.
antidepressant adjective
Describing a drug or treatment that relieves depression.

Commonly confused: antidepressant or antipsychotic?

antidepressant vs antipsychotic

Antipsychotic drugs treat psychosis (like schizophrenia), while antidepressants treat depression.

Practice

The doctor ______ an antidepressant to help with her depression.

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