Noun: depressant di'pre-sunt
- A drug that reduces excitability and calms a person
"The doctor prescribed a mild depressant to help with his insomnia";
- sedative, sedative drug, downer [informal]
- Capable of depressing physiological or psychological activity or response by a chemical agent
"The depressant effects of the medication made him drowsy"
Derived forms: depressants
See also: ataractic, ataraxic, narcotic, narcotising [Brit], narcotizing, relaxant, sedative, somniferous, somnific, soporiferous, soporific, tranquilizing [N. Amer], tranquillising [Brit], tranquillizing [Brit]
Type of: drug of abuse, med [informal], medicament, medication, medicinal drug, medicine, street drug
Antonym: stimulative
Encyclopedia: Depressant