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
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Crime rates had been rising exponentially since the 1960s; now, with the NYPD diminished and demoralized, untold numbers of assaults, robberies, and property crimes went unreported, while open-air drug markets operated with relative impunity in many parts of the city. Rolling Stone, 16 June 2025 This is frustrating and demoralizing for the person in that role. Dr. Joel M. Rothaizer, McC, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025 Many Chicagoans still harbor deep distrust of the police, while the city’s officers are demoralized and fearful about what awaits them on streets where bad actors have no fear of law enforcement. Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025 There, the demoralizing displays of dysfunction occur more often behind closed doors, and not in full public view. Dain Fitzgerald, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for demoralize

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of demoralize was in 1794

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Cite this Entry

“Demoralize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demoralize. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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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