demoralize
verb
de·mor·al·ize
di-ˈmȯr-ə-ˌlīz 
ˌdē-,
-ˈmär-
demoralized; demoralizing; demoralizes
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
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
Fly Me to the Moon’s inept attempt at feel-good escapism proves that demoralized Hollywood is going through a crisis that’s not just political but artistic, too.
—Armond White, National Review, 17 July 2024
Soon, Tina loses the job she’s given 15 years of her life to, and sets out on a demoralizing odyssey of applying to what seems like every open position in the city of Chicago.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 9 July 2024
Some police departments don’t take financial scams as seriously as other crime and victims wind up discouraged and demoralized, according to Paul Greenwood, who spent 22 years prosecuting elder financial abuse cases in San Diego.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune, 7 July 2024
With two months to lick their wounds following a demoralizing first-round loss to the Denver Nuggets, James and Davis both welcomed their new coach, JJ Redick, a former NBA player and ESPN commentator.
—Ben Golliver, Washington Post, 7 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for demoralize 
Armond White, National Review, 17 July 2024
Soon, Tina loses the job she’s given 15 years of her life to, and sets out on a demoralizing odyssey of applying to what seems like every open position in the city of Chicago.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 9 July 2024
Some police departments don’t take financial scams as seriously as other crime and victims wind up discouraged and demoralized, according to Paul Greenwood, who spent 22 years prosecuting elder financial abuse cases in San Diego.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune, 7 July 2024
With two months to lick their wounds following a demoralizing first-round loss to the Denver Nuggets, James and Davis both welcomed their new coach, JJ Redick, a former NBA player and ESPN commentator.
—Ben Golliver, Washington Post, 7 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for demoralize
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.
Dictionary Entries Near demoralize
Cite this Entry
“Demoralize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demoralize. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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