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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to paralyze
to deprive of courage or confidence
the mere sight of the forbidding cliffs demoralized the climbers
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2
as in to discourage
to lessen the courage or confidence of
we refused to be demoralized by our humiliating defeat and vowed to come roaring back the following week
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3
as in to humiliate
to lower in character, dignity, or quality
felt society as a whole has been demoralized by the widespread availability of pornography
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of demoralization
Charlie Campbell, Time, 29 May 2025
But in places like Egypt and Russia, where civic forces are demoralized or divided, oligarchs can hang on with daunting endurance.
—Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
The Pacers will look to take a strong 2-0 lead, while the Knicks will try to pick up the pieces from such a demoralizing loss.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025
Inter Miami has lost four of its past five games with the most recent being a demoralizing 4-1 loss at Minnesota.
—Andre Fernandez, Miami Herald, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for demoralization
Verb
Lee will also have to find a way to heal his riven nation, whose people are utterly demoralized with bickering, partisanship, and a pathological inability to find consensus on any issue.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 29 May 2025
But in places like Egypt and Russia, where civic forces are demoralized or divided, oligarchs can hang on with daunting endurance.
—Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
The Pacers will look to take a strong 2-0 lead, while the Knicks will try to pick up the pieces from such a demoralizing loss.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025
Inter Miami has lost four of its past five games with the most recent being a demoralizing 4-1 loss at Minnesota.
—Andre Fernandez, Miami Herald, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for demoralization
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demoralization
Noun
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In regions affected by conflict, natural disasters or climate degradation, these irreplaceable sites and items are in jeopardy.—
Sattie Persaud,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
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Both research teams documented severe performance degradation on problems requiring extended systematic reasoning.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
11 June 2025
Noun
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Garrett, Allegany and Washington counties are now symbols of neglect, where economic despair has replaced the industrious and seemingly indomitable spirit that had once defined them.—
Daniel A.C. McBride,
Baltimore Sun,
1 June 2025
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But the Squid Game stops for no one, so Gi-hun will be forced to make some important choices in the face of overwhelming despair as he and the surviving players are thrust into deadlier games that test everyone’s resolve.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
1 June 2025
Verb
-
Inflammation from these conditions can paralyze the colon, causing symptoms like bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.—
Janelle McSwiggin,
Health,
6 June 2025
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Fear of the unknown, driven by economic instability and geopolitical shifts, can paralyze teams.—
David Meade,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Verb
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However, the Senate's scholarship restriction could create perverse incentives, discouraging institutions from offering comprehensive aid packages to their neediest students.—
Scott White,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
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To discourage their dog from any more late-night excursions, the Olsen family, who rescued Max two years ago, has been regularly feeding Max his treat of choice at home.—
Rachel McRady,
People.com,
13 June 2025
Verb
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Ukrainians said they were subjected to beatings, electric shocks and dog attacks by Russian authorities, not only to extract information but to intimidate and humiliate them.—
Richard Engel,
NBC news,
11 June 2025
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Musk, who also owns SpaceX, had backed Isaacman, and felt betrayed and humiliated when Trump changed his mind, according to the report.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
7 June 2025
Noun
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The film's themes of corruption and the brave whistleblowers who expose it feel particularly apt in this current moment.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
5 June 2025
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In the early two-thousands, he was found to have misrepresented himself as a prosecutor to help a journalist investigate a mayor suspected of corruption; he was accused of having an extramarital affair; his son reportedly posted misogynistic comments online.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
4 June 2025
Noun
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Before the jury reached its partial verdict, the jury foreperson expressed dismay to Farber about deliberation proceedings.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2025
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When lawmakers expressed dismay that reform wasn’t happening quickly enough, Schiraldi pleaded for patience.—
Racquel Bazos,
Baltimore Sun,
9 June 2025
Verb
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Swatting is the criminal practice of calling law enforcement, particularly Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, to someone's house in order to harass or intimidate them.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
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As intimidating as the private equity process may be for franchisors, the jargon and statistics that are a part of everyday franchise life are just as opaque to investors.—
Patrick Galleher,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demoralization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demoralization. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.
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