SSRI

noun

ˌes-(ˌ)es-(ˌ)är-ˈī

: any of a class of antidepressants (such as fluoxetine) that inhibit the inactivation of serotonin by blocking its reuptake by presynaptic neuron endings

called also selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

Examples of SSRI in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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What’s more concerning are the results for tricyclic antidepressants, which are older as they were first discovered in the 1950s and ’60s, Alpert said — the first SSRI, fluoxetine, was developed in the 1970s and approved for the US by the FDA in 1987. — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 14 May 2026 Feuer has had patients and their families thank her for prescribing an SSRI. — Rhitu Chatterjee, NPR, 7 May 2026 There has been a push from some experts for doctors to adequately warn patients of withdrawal symptoms before starting an SSRI, and for more reproducible studies to be executed on antidepressant withdrawal, which can inform future guidelines. — Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 5 May 2026 Some panelists also called for stronger warnings on SSRI drug labels. — Aria Bendix, NBC news, 24 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for SSRI

Word History

First Known Use

1991, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of SSRI was in 1991

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SSR

SSRI

SSS

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“SSRI.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/SSRI. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

SSRI

noun

ˌes-(ˌ)es-(ˌ)är-ˈī

: any of a class of antidepressants (as fluoxetine or sertraline) that inhibit the inactivation of serotonin by blocking its reuptake by presynaptic nerve cell endings

called also selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

compare snri

SSRI

noun

Examples of SSRI in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Medical Definition

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