demoralize

de·mor·al·ize | \ di-ˈmȯr-ə-ˌlīz

How to pronounce demoralize (audio)

, 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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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 Fox News does not care about #MeToo, but the story damages Biden, demoralizes Democrats, and makes liberals look like egregious hypocrites. — Ryan Cooper, TheWeek, "The angst over Joe Biden's assault allegation has an easy resolution," 2 May 2020 In 1977, President Gerald R. Ford pardoned Iva Toguri D’Aquino, an American convicted of treason for making radio broadcasts aimed at demoralizing Allied troops in the Pacific Theater during World War II. — BostonGlobe.com, "This day in history," 19 Jan. 2020 During the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq War, the two sides launched Scud missiles at one another’s major cities, each attempting to demoralize the enemy. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Did Iran Intentionally Avoid Killing U.S. Soldiers in Last Night's Missile Attack?," 8 Jan. 2020 Republicans who saw a nominee go down were going to be demoralized. — Hope Reese, Longreads, "‘They Were Growing Seedlings…Which Would Sprout To Become Supreme Court Justices’," 18 Dec. 2019 This is a man who demoralized Floyd Patterson with a first round knockout in 1962. — Troy L. Smith, cleveland, "25 greatest heavyweight fights of the last 100 years," 18 Feb. 2020 Angel and Barton were discouraged but not demoralized. — Washington Post, "Kentucky was devastated for decades by mountaintop removal. Now scientists have figured out a way to undo the damage — one tree at a time.," 13 Feb. 2020 But Sanders’s performance in Iowa likely demoralized some support on the left for Warren, and Klobuchar benefitted from a primary format in New Hampshire where Republican and independent voters can more readily participate. — Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, "The Democratic Race After New Hampshire," 12 Feb. 2020 After listening to Stern for a half-hour, Welts, demoralized, said goodbye to his colleague and slumped into his living-room sofa. — Connor Letourneau, SFChronicle.com, "Warriors’ Rick Welts forged bond with David Stern that lasted to his final days," 19 Jan. 2020

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.

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Dictionary Entries near demoralize

De Morgan's theorem

de mortuis nil nisi bonum

Statistics for demoralize

Last Updated

5 Jun 2020

Cite this Entry

“Demoralize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demoralize. Accessed 10 Jul. 2020.

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More Definitions for demoralize

demoralize

verb

English Language Learners Definition of demoralize

: to cause (someone) to lose hope, courage, or confidence : to weaken the morale of (a person or group)

See the full definition for demoralize in the English Language Learners Dictionary

demoralize

de·mor·al·ize | \ di-ˈmȯr-ə-ˌlīz

\

demoralized; demoralizing

Kids Definition of demoralize

: to weaken the spirit or confidence of Yet another defeat demoralized the team.

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