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.

—Franklin D. Roosevelt

c

: to throw into disorder

demoralization

di-ˌmȯr-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌdē-, 

-ˌmär-

noun

demoralizer

di-ˈmȯr-ə-ˌlī-zər 

ˌdē-, 

-ˈmär-

noun

demoralizingly

di-ˈmȯr-ə-ˌlī-ziŋ-lē 

ˌdē-, 

-ˈmär-

adverb

Synonyms of demoralize

• paralyze
• intimidate
• frighten
• terrify
• scare

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

But watching most of the progress reverse is demoralizing enough to feel like failure. — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026

No question, the end of the season was deflating and demoralizing. — Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 5 June 2026

Colorado looked nothing like the team that demoralized opponents all year with its offensive and defensive prowess. — Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 27 May 2026

The result is a job search process that many workers describe as exhausting, mentally draining and, at times, demoralizing—making job search burnout real. — Bybryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 15 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for demoralize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize

Kids Definition

demoralize

verb

de·​mor·​al·​ize di-ˈmȯr-ə-ˌlīz 

-ˈmär-

1

: to make bad or evil

2

: to weaken in spirit or discipline

fear demoralized the army

demoralization

-ˌmȯr-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

-ˌmär-

noun

demoralizer

-ˈmȯr-ə-ˌlī-zər 

-ˈmär-

noun