Definition of "depressant" [de•press•ant]

• Tending to lower the rate of vital physiological activities. (adjective)
• An agent, especially a drug, that decreases the rate of vital physiological activities. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The budget, with expected focus on rural economy, infrastructure, health and education is likely to benefit stocks of FMCG, power, infrastructure and capital goods sector, while the expected 2% excise hike can act as a near-term depressant for sectors like automobiles "
• ""I think the Obama announcement is a near-term depressant on auto sales and the economy," said one Ford official Tuesday."
• "That is, don't take "depressant" drugs -- drugs that make you calm or sleepy, not depressed!!!"