demoralization

noun

Definition of demoralizationnext
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

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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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of demoralization Because many women have dealt with demoralization and shame for years, cognitive behavioral therapy can also help. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 27 July 2026 The result is exhaustion and quiet demoralization. — Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks, Fortune, 13 May 2026 Would your organization be able to recover from the loss and demoralization to do its work? — Tracy Stone-Manning, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026 Nothing could quite match that, but Michigan’s 90-73 demoralization of Arizona got close. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demoralization
  1. degradation
  2. despair
  3. corruption
  4. dismay
Noun
  • There could be IoT solution or sensor degradation, connectivity issues and hallucinations because of poor update procedures and more.
    — Punnam Raju Manthena, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • However, its natural habitat is at risk of degradation because of human activities such as aquaculture, conversion of forest and wetlands into farmlands, and infrastructure development.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of degradation
Noun
  • As Rhaenyra slowly descends into a pit of despair and desperation, Daemon and his armies run into some snags on their assault of Tumbleton thanks to the various tricks Lord Ormund has up his sleeves.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • There are many valid readings of this high-minded, heavy-handed modern drama of despair, desperation, love and survival instincts.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of despair
Noun
  • But the judge also noted Krneta’s dual role in facilitating the corruption of Tobolski, both paying bribes and collecting extortion payments from other contractors on the then-mayor’s behalf.
    — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The election demanded by Reform UK's leader, who faces corruption accusations, has turned into a punch line after major parties dismissed it as a stunt and declined to field candidates.
    — Steve Hendrix, Washington Post, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of corruption
Noun
  • Locals sought to protect the land, which had long housed a storied artist residency program, from development, but in the end the foundation sold it to the South Seas resort for $45 million, to the dismay of many.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • We’re filled with dismay at the hard left turn the Democratic Party has been taking in this primary season, and El-Sayed’s narrow win is still a win.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of dismay

Browse Nearby Words

demonstrators
demoralization
demoralize
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Cite this Entry

“Demoralization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demoralization. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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