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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Dave Friend, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
So is rousing the demoralized with the example of heroes who have prevailed.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Public criticism can demoralize not only the individual, but also the whole team, whereas private feedback fosters growth, maintains dignity and strengthens trust.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Preachers are demoralized, decreed, distracted, and dissected.
—Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demoralization
Verb
One person who cannot be trusted with a high degree of independence can demoralize an entire organization very quickly.
—Dave Friend, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
So is rousing the demoralized with the example of heroes who have prevailed.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Public criticism can demoralize not only the individual, but also the whole team, whereas private feedback fosters growth, maintains dignity and strengthens trust.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Preachers are demoralized, decreed, distracted, and dissected.
—Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demoralization
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demoralization
Noun
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Beyond infrastructure strain, our information environment also shows signs of degradation.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
25 Apr. 2025
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What is clear, McLean and others point out, is that even the degradation of American climate prediction capabilities poses significant risks to the U.S. economy, to national security and to the country’s leverage in the world.—
Abrahm Lustgarten,
ProPublica,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Magnificent heroes of delicacy and seduction, Anouk Aimée and Jean-Louis Trintignant forever illuminate the film of our lives, like these two posters, whose colors express the intensity of a passionate love that triumphs over despair.—
Patrick Hipes,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2025
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The most heartbreaking thing about this highly heartbreaking scene, to me, is how Ramsey communicates Ellie’s despair at realizing there’s no time to fix things between them.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
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He was paralyzed as a result of the shooting and died three months later.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
17 Apr. 2025
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The disturbing event all but paralyzes Kyle on the couch as the viral loathing continues.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Emotional illiteracy, disconnection from the body and organizational cultures that discourage vulnerability reinforce this divide.—
Nancy Zamierowski,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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In subtropical South Florida, the days can get so hot that the rising mercury might actually discourage pollen production.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Shawn reluctantly agrees, but is humiliated when Cory starts acting corny around his friend Gambling Dan (Phil Buckman), and his lackey, Louie (Weiss).—
EW.com,
EW.com,
16 Apr. 2025
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He must be seen standing up to foreign oppressors who seek to humiliate China and thwart its rightful rise.—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The Trump administration is substantially scaling back the State Department's annual reports on international human rights to remove longstanding critiques of abuses such as harsh prison conditions, government corruption and restrictions on participation in the political process, NPR has learned.—
Graham Smith,
NPR,
18 Apr. 2025
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Thao has since been indicted for bribery and corruption.—
Jonathan Easley,
The Hill,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Much to his dismay, though, the Elimination Challenge is to create a tasting menu based on pickles — a food Tristen apparently loathes.—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
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To June's dismay, her best friend is also determined to stay back and fight.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
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James, through a spokesperson, said she will not be intimidated.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
17 Apr. 2025
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And since cleaning with bleach can be intimidating (ever have a load of laundryruined thanks to leftover bleach in the washing machine?), denture tablets can be a safer, easier alternative to getting your whites back to bright.—
Amy Brightfield,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demoralization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demoralization. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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