demoralize
verb
de·mor·al·ize di-ˈmȯr-ə-ˌlīz 
ˌdē-,
-ˈmär-
demoralized; demoralizing; demoralizes
transitive verb
1
: to cause to turn aside or away from what is good or true or morally right : to corrupt the morals of
2
a
: to weaken the morale of : discourage, dispirit
were demoralized by the loss
b
: to upset or destroy the normal functioning of
foreclosures were further demoralizing an already desperate real-estate market
F. D. Roosevelt
F. D. Roosevelt c
: to throw into disorder
demoralization
di-ˌmȯr-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən
noun ˌdē-
-ˌmär-
demoralizer
di-ˈmȯr-ə-ˌlī-zər
noun ˌdē-
-ˈmär-
demoralizingly
di-ˈmȯr-ə-ˌlī-ziŋ-lē
adverb ˌdē-
-ˈmär-
Synonyms
- emasculate
- paralyze
- undo
- unman
- unnerve
- unstring
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
the mere sight of the forbidding cliffs demoralized the climbers we refused to be demoralized by our humiliating defeat and vowed to come roaring back the following week
Recent Examples on the Web The practice is expensive and could both demoralize and lure away permanent full-time workers who traditionally make up the core of hospital care here. Annie Berman, Anchorage Daily News, 4 Sep. 2022 Authorities and human rights advocates say these cases are part of a larger pattern of Russian abductions and disappearances, a military tactic meant to terrorize communities and demoralize civilian resistance. Paulina Villegas And Reis Thebault, Anchorage Daily News, 20 June 2022 Analysts warned that Ukrainian politicians have an interest in exaggerating Russia’s troubles to rally morale and demoralize Russian troops. Andrew Higgins, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Aug. 2022 Authorities and human rights advocates say these cases are part of a larger pattern of Russian abductions and disappearances, a military tactic meant to terrorize communities and demoralize civilian resistance. Paulina Villegas And Reis Thebault, Anchorage Daily News, 20 June 2022 Non-recognition of work and issues can demoralize a remote team. Alexey Semeney, Forbes, 15 July 2022 Authorities and human rights advocates say these cases are part of a larger pattern of Russian abductions and disappearances, a military tactic meant to terrorize communities and demoralize civilian resistance. Paulina Villegas And Reis Thebault, Anchorage Daily News, 20 June 2022 Authorities and human rights advocates say these cases are part of a larger pattern of Russian abductions and disappearances, a military tactic meant to terrorize communities and demoralize civilian resistance. Reis Thebault, Washington Post, 19 June 2022 In a move that will demoralize personal trainers across the country, GrubHub and Amazon are getting into business together. Q.ai - Powering A Personal Wealth Movement, Forbes, 7 July 2022 See More
Annie Berman, Anchorage Daily News, 4 Sep. 2022 Authorities and human rights advocates say these cases are part of a larger pattern of Russian abductions and disappearances, a military tactic meant to terrorize communities and demoralize civilian resistance. Paulina Villegas And Reis Thebault, Anchorage Daily News, 20 June 2022 Analysts warned that Ukrainian politicians have an interest in exaggerating Russia’s troubles to rally morale and demoralize Russian troops. Andrew Higgins, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Aug. 2022 Authorities and human rights advocates say these cases are part of a larger pattern of Russian abductions and disappearances, a military tactic meant to terrorize communities and demoralize civilian resistance. Paulina Villegas And Reis Thebault, Anchorage Daily News, 20 June 2022 Non-recognition of work and issues can demoralize a remote team. Alexey Semeney, Forbes, 15 July 2022 Authorities and human rights advocates say these cases are part of a larger pattern of Russian abductions and disappearances, a military tactic meant to terrorize communities and demoralize civilian resistance. Paulina Villegas And Reis Thebault, Anchorage Daily News, 20 June 2022 Authorities and human rights advocates say these cases are part of a larger pattern of Russian abductions and disappearances, a military tactic meant to terrorize communities and demoralize civilian resistance. Reis Thebault, Washington Post, 19 June 2022 In a move that will demoralize personal trainers across the country, GrubHub and Amazon are getting into business together. Q.ai - Powering A Personal Wealth Movement, Forbes, 7 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
circa 1793, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
demoralize
verb
de·mor·al·ize di-ˈmȯr-ə-ˌlīz
demoralized; demoralizing
: to weaken the spirit or confidence of Yet another defeat demoralized the team.
demoralizes
verb
1
as in paralyzes
to deprive of courage or confidence the mere sight of the forbidding cliffs demoralized the climbers Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- paralyzes
- frightens
- terrifies
- intimidates
- scares
- emasculates
- unsettles
- unnerves
- debilitates
- unmans
- undoes
- wastes
- saps
- weakens
- discourages
- terrorizes
- disheartens
- enfeebles
- enervates
- unstrings
- neuters
- disturbs
- softens
- upsets
- dismays
- disquiets
- unbalances
- perturbs
- daunts
- maddens
- unhinges
- prostrates
- dispirits
- deranges
- tires
- fazes
- crazes
- discomposes
- psychs (out)
- weirds out
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- nerves
- strengthens
- fortifies
- encourages
- emboldens
- heartens
2
as in discourages
to lessen the courage or confidence of we refused to be demoralized by our humiliating defeat and vowed to come roaring back the following week Synonyms & Similar Words
- discourages
- frustrates
- disheartens
- intimidates
- frightens
- horrifies
- dismays
- daunts
- unnerves
- scares
- afflicts
- dispirits
- unmans
- browbeats
- saddens
- undermines
- bothers
- worries
- debilitates
- distresses
- troubles
- throws cold water on
- irks
- bullies
- depresses
- tries
- cows
- weighs
- deadens
- weakens
- chills
- enfeebles
- vexes
- dampens
- damps
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- encourages
- nerves
- emboldens
- cheers
- heartens
- invigorates
- reinforces
- animates
- gladdens
- enforces
- strengthens
- assures
- buoys (up)
- fortifies
- steels
- stimulates
- reassures
- inspires
- energizes
- excites
- provokes
- lifts
- enlivens
- stirs
- reenforces
- boosts
- quickens
- galvanizes
- rallies
3
as in humiliates
to lower in character, dignity, or quality felt society as a whole has been demoralized by the widespread availability of pornography Synonyms & Similar Words
- humiliates
- degrades
- corrupts
- deteriorates
- weakens
- demeans
- subverts
- debases
- destroys
- dilutes
- debauches
- poisons
- damages
- perverts
- depraves
- bastardizes
- disgraces
- vitiates
- pollutes
- shames
- prostitutes
- humbles
- taints
- cankers
- ruins
- cheapens
- lessens
- hurts
- warps
- contaminates
- abases
- impairs
- profanes
- harms
- thins
- dishonors
- defiles
- mars
- dirties
- wrecks
- tarnishes
- spoils
- waters down
- flaws
- descends
- defaces
- depreciates
- befouls
- stains
- blemishes
- begrimes
- downgrades
- takes down
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ennobles
- improves
- uplifts
- exalts
- dignifies
- elevates
- enhances
- enriches
- honors
- purifies
- clarifies
- restores
- ameliorates
- refines
- cleans
- perfects
- amends
- cleanses
- betters
- respects
- meliorates
- quadratic mean
- quadratical
- quadratically
- quadratics
- quadrating
- quadratojugal
- quadratomandibular
- quadratrixes
- quadrats
- quadratted
- quadratting
- quadrature
- quadrature of the circle
- quadratures
- quadratuses
- quadrel
- quadrellas
- quadrennia
- quadrennial
- quadrennially
- quadrennials
- quadrennium
- quadrenniums
- quadri-
- quadric