demoralize

verb

de·mor·al·ize | \ di-ˈmȯr-ə-ˌlīz

, ˌdē-, -ˈmär-\

demoralized; demoralizing; demoralizes

Definition of demoralize

transitive verb

1 : to cause to turn aside or away from what is good or true or morally right : to corrupt the morals of

2a : 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

c : to throw into disorder

Other Words from demoralize Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about demoralize

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Other Words from demoralize

demoralization \ di-ˌmȯr-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən

, ˌdē- , -ˌmär- \ noun

demoralizer \ di-ˈmȯr-ə-ˌlī-zər

, ˌdē- , -ˈmär- \ noun

demoralizingly \ -ziŋ-lē

\ adverb

Synonyms & Antonyms for demoralize

Synonyms

emasculate, paralyze, undo, unman, unnerve, unstring

Antonyms

nerve

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

The lesson for Brennan’s generation of C.I.A. officers was a demoralizing one — that serving the president could sometimes mean acting as political cannon fodder when things went wrong. — Mattathias Schwartz, New York Times, "A Spymaster Steps Out of the Shadows," 27 June 2018 When Thomas was later confirmed to the Supreme Court, the countless women who’d watched Hill—and maybe Hill herself—were demoralized, flattened even. — Celeste Ng, Glamour, "Celeste Ng Reflects on Our Era of Rage—and Illuminates the Path Forward.," 21 Dec. 2018 Republican leaders want Kavanaugh confirmed at almost any costs, fearful that pulling his nomination would demoralize their voters ahead of the midterms. — Dylan Scott, Vox, "Brett Kavanaugh is Jeff Flake’s most important test," 3 Oct. 2018 Doing so would have demoralized his fellow prisoners and would have been a violation of the Navy’s Code of Conduct. — Brian Brinker, Fox News, "Trump Nixed Statement, John McCain Leaves Behind Complicated Legacy," 27 Aug. 2018 Still, a president who demoralizes his own vice president invariably has trouble inspiring a nation. — Peter Baker, New York Times, "Was Jimmy Carter the Most Underrated President in History?," 5 June 2018 The terrain wasn’t likely to get any easier for the GOP Congress member, with Democrats energized and Republicans demoralized. — Dylan Scott, Vox, "Democrats can win a whole lot of House seats in Pennsylvania," 28 Mar. 2018 This is why so many people were demoralized earlier this week. — Andrew Sharp, SI.com, "The NBA is Broken, But Not Because of DeMarcus Cousins," 5 July 2018 It isn’t helped by the inappropriate conduct and speech of public figures, which degrades this country and threatens to demoralize our children. — Joe Lieberman, WSJ, "A Holiday for the Rule of Law," 17 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'demoralize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.