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
Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 8 July 2025
Some of them were costly and demoralizing, others unexpectedly rewarding.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2025
This was another one of those playoff finales this franchise has mastered: The demoralizing home blowout.
—Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 May 2025
And inside the Department of State, morale has plummeted, with professionals once proud to serve now demoralized, distrusted or displaced.
—Lynn Northcutt Vega, Sun Sentinel, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for demoralization
Verb
The sweeping cuts left many federal offices short-staffed and demoralized, according to recent retirees.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 8 July 2025
Some of them were costly and demoralizing, others unexpectedly rewarding.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2025
This was another one of those playoff finales this franchise has mastered: The demoralizing home blowout.
—Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 May 2025
And inside the Department of State, morale has plummeted, with professionals once proud to serve now demoralized, distrusted or displaced.
—Lynn Northcutt Vega, Sun Sentinel, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for demoralization
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demoralization
Noun
-
Once opened, maple syrup should be stored in the refrigerator to prevent mold growth and flavor degradation.—
Heather Riske,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Suppression repair is a critical part of firefighting efforts, to reduce erosion and soil degradation in the areas used in the firefighting efforts.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The knowledge that tens of thousands of children have been stolen deepens despair for parents across Ukraine.—
Irwin Redlener,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Aug. 2025
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The suicide of a Belgian father, the death of a retiree lured by a chatbot, the despair of teenagers drawn to AI in isolation.—
Ron Schmelzer,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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At a time when institutions are bending the knee to Donald Trump and the Democratic Party is paralyzed, the WFP is building capacity, strategically leveraging power, and engaging voters in cities big and small.—
Theo Oshiro,
New York Daily News,
14 Aug. 2025
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The breach paralyzed billing and claims systems for weeks across the U.S. healthcare network.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
3 Aug. 2025
Verb
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If things don’t go according to plan — like if your creative spark or romantic date night gets hit with a wild card — don’t be discouraged.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
23 Aug. 2025
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The last thing needed in Chicago, which isn’t as economically healthy as Washington was prior to Trump’s strongman maneuvers, is discouraging more people from patronizing bars, clubs and restaurants, as well as other attractions.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Plato fled Syracuse, humiliated by the tyrants’ taunts.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Aug. 2025
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Critics, including Lithuania's former foreign minister, warned the episode reflects Moscow's intent to provoke and humiliate its adversaries on the global stage.—
Hannah Parry
Amanda Castro
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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In 1870, lawyers founded the City Bar to confront corruption in the courts under Tammany Hall.—
Muhammad U. Faridi,
New York Daily News,
17 Aug. 2025
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Adams had been facing federal corruption charges but these were dropped by the Trump administration.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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European officials have had to defend the deal against dismay from businesses and member governments at the higher tariff and criticism that the EU gave away too much.—
David McHugh,
Fortune,
21 Aug. 2025
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Leaders of the international Reform and Progressive Judaism movement expressed their dismay over such a public display of internal discord.—
Andrew Silow-Carroll,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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If you're intimidated by orange, Dior's Rouge Dior Lipstick in 200 Nude Touch is a great starter shade with a beautiful warm undertone, as is Fenty Beauty's Icon Velvet Liquid Lipstick in Noodz & Dudez.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
14 Aug. 2025
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Following his arrest, law enforcement learned that Reardon called the Israeli Consulate in Boston 98 times between Oct. 7, 2023 and Jan. 29, 2024, and made harassing and intimidating statements.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demoralization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demoralization. Accessed 30 Aug. 2025.
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