1
as in degradation
a sinking to a state of low moral standards and behavior
a general state of demoralization prevailed at every level of the government
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in despair
the state of being discouraged
the officers struggled to combat the demoralization of the troops as their tour of duty grew longer
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of demoralization
The melancholy truth is that things have sunk into a morass of demoralization and low standards, with journalism inhabiting the poverty sector among the disciplines, and this at a time when communications nationally and internationally have reached an apex of urgency and complexity.
—
David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demoralization
Noun
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The delta is a microcosm of humanity’s problems, with its rising population, increasing agriculture, environmental degradation, and climate change.—
Noo Saro-Wiwa,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
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The consequences of this project — ranging from water depletion and traffic congestion to permanent environmental degradation — will be borne by those in the immediate vicinity, yet the current system ignores this reality.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The researchers also say that the intervention appeared to change the model’s internal activations (which might suggest the expressions indicate something akin to real emotions) and not just the expression of despair.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
24 Mar. 2026
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As is the band’s custom, the lyrics might evoke despair, but the furnace of hooks and harmonies suggests total emotional overload is its own kind of salvation.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Fox News Digital sat down with Riverside County Sheriff and GOP gubernatorial candidate Chad Bianco, who told Fox that the questionable partnership with the Chinese school is an example of corruption and fraud that exists across California.—
Preston Mizell,
FOXNews.com,
24 Mar. 2026
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Carbone, now an adjunct professor at Pace University, spent 30 years with the DOJ focusing on white collar, public corruption and tax cases.—
Jaclyn Diaz,
NPR,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Others expressed dismay over human rights issues.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
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The Red Sox have struggled defensively throughout most of Cora’s tenure as manager (2018-19, 2021-present), much to his dismay.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Demoralization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demoralization. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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