demoralize

verb

de·​mor·​al·​ize di-ˈmȯr-ə-ˌlīz How to pronounce demoralize (audio)
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 marketF. D. Roosevelt
c
: to throw into disorder
demoralization noun
demoralizer
di-ˈmȯr-ə-ˌlī-zər How to pronounce demoralize (audio)
ˌdē-
-ˈmär-
noun
demoralizingly adverb

Examples of demoralize in a Sentence

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 After the Heat’s losing streak stretched to seven games (its longest since 2008) with a demoralizing defeat to the Phoenix Suns, the Heat summoned its player to Kaseya Center on a dreary Tuesday late last month. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2024 As the parallel offensives gained momentum, the junta witnessed some demoralizing defeats. Aakash Hassan, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Feb. 2024 The show offered a way out of the demoralizing trap of belonging to the electorate. Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 13 Feb. 2024 Like my furnace contractor struggling to understand my puzzling radiators, spinning your wheels searching for or recreating valuable knowledge is wasteful, demoralizing and bad for business. Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 There’s something so demoralizing about lambasting another underwhelming Marvel offering. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Feb. 2024 In the last couple of years, climate experts, academics and others have sought to shift the conversation away from such demoralizing talk, while not sugarcoating the consequences if important and often difficult moves are not made. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2024 The 12-play, 93-yard drive gave the Ravens a two-touchdown lead and just as importantly chewed up 7:03 of clock, demoralizing a Texans team that had, up until then, given the Ravens fits. Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 20 Jan. 2024 Focusing solely on weaknesses can be demoralizing, leading to disengagement and burnout. Hudson Garrett, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'demoralize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1793, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of demoralize was circa 1793

Dictionary Entries Near demoralize

Cite this Entry

“Demoralize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demoralize. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

demoralize

verb
de·​mor·​al·​ize di-ˈmȯr-ə-ˌlīz How to pronounce demoralize (audio)
-ˈmär-
1
: to make bad or evil
2
: to weaken in spirit or discipline
fear demoralized the army
demoralization noun
demoralizer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on demoralize

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