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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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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My Guard’s presence tamped down potentially dangerous outbursts of anger and despair.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
13 June 2025
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Almost two decades later, his family — who spent years grappling with unanswered questions that only fueled their fear and despair — finally learned what happened to him.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
13 June 2025
Verb
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In this article: The News The View From Europe The View From The Middle East The View From China The View From Russia The News Global leaders urged restraint Friday after Israel launched a major string of strikes on Iran aimed at paralyzing the country’s nuclear and military might.—
Natasha Bracken,
semafor.com,
13 June 2025
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Trump Opens $5 Million Gold Card Visa Waitlist—What To Know Air India Plane With 242 Onboard Crashes Shortly After Takeoff In Western India This paradox has paralyzed innovation in privacy-sensitive sectors.—
Sean Lee,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
Verb
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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
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If, however, the president makes good on those threats or even institutes a different series of tariffs to discourage studios from shooting movies overseas, no amount of tax credits and belt-tightening will be able to save the day.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
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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Indonesia’s Attorney General’s Office claims that corruption tied to these export permits cost the state 12.3 trillion rupiah ($755 million).—
Lionel Lim,
Fortune,
18 June 2025
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Maybe the game doesn’t die in corruption but in the apathy of those who stop caring.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
18 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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When Chinese critics of the government speak out, they are regularly harassed and intimidated — even in our country, where Chinese dissidents have been threatened by agents of their government.—
Jovante Teague,
Sun Sentinel,
17 June 2025
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An escalation in political violence The shootings come as political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed and intimidated amid deep political divisions.—
Obed Lamy,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demoralization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demoralization. Accessed 23 Jun. 2025.
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