An increase in the general price level over time is called ...

Deflation is the opposite of inflation; it describes a decrease in the general price level of goods and services. This can lead to increased purchasing power of money but often results in negative economic consequences, such as reduced consumer spending and increased unemployment, which distinguishes it from inflation.

A depression is a severe and prolonged downturn in economic activity, characterized by significant declines in GDP, widespread unemployment, and falling prices. While it may involve deflation, it does not specifically denote an increase in prices, making it unrelated to the concept of inflation.

A recession is a period of economic decline typically identified by two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth. It may involve inflation or deflation, but it does not inherently refer to an increase in price levels. Therefore, it does not capture the essence of the question regarding price increases.