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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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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of demoralize
Last year, approximately three hundred and fifty-two thousand civil servants left their jobs, fulfilling one of the Administration’s stated goals of dismantling the government bureaucracy and demoralizing the federal workforce.
—
Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2026
Today everyday Texans are feeling stressed about the economy, demoralized by an administration that is trampling on our constitution, and fearful that our government is broken beyond repair.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
But he was especially demoralized the other day after scouring for bargains at the sprawling Coche Market, which serves a mostly working-class clientele on the southern fringes of this chaotic capital.
—Mery Mogollon, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Just as the 1905 defeat demoralized the military, the withdrawal of Soviet Army forces in 1989 also demoralized the military, and the war eroded public trust.
—Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for demoralize
Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2026
Today everyday Texans are feeling stressed about the economy, demoralized by an administration that is trampling on our constitution, and fearful that our government is broken beyond repair.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
But he was especially demoralized the other day after scouring for bargains at the sprawling Coche Market, which serves a mostly working-class clientele on the southern fringes of this chaotic capital.
—Mery Mogollon, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Just as the 1905 defeat demoralized the military, the withdrawal of Soviet Army forces in 1989 also demoralized the military, and the war eroded public trust.
—Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for demoralize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demoralize
Verb
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Among the suitors vying for her affection were Brad Ledford, who was the driver in the car accident that paralyzed former congressman Madison Cawthorn; Another, Clayton Johnson, was formerly engaged to Lana Del Rey.—
Rebecca Jennings,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
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Several companies are developing commercial BCIs, primarily for use in people who are paralyzed.—
Tanya Lewis,
Scientific American,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Taken together, Murkowski said such efforts could discourage people from voting.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
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Krystn Maher chuckles, not wanting to discourage them.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And unlike some some prank shows, its intentions are good, its attitude humane — the entire purpose of the show is to bring out the best in its unsuspecting star, not to humiliate him.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
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As 1994 approached, the United States was on the verge of hosting the World Cup — but national soccer officials were terrified that the home team was about to humiliate itself on a global stage.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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All the while, Iran might be able to continue to block oil from moving through the strait by intimidating shipowners with drone and missile strikes or mines laid by small boats or even traditional dhows.—
Nicholas D. Kristof,
Mercury News,
21 Mar. 2026
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In May 2025, Peralta-Quintana was charged with intimidating and retaliating against a witness, and he was convicted on those counts as well, the DA said.—
Laura Fay,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Fans are entitled to want to be entertained, and to be frustrated that the European campaign has been a struggle, as well as by the problems Palace have endured when confronted by 10 men on several occasions of late.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
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Were there any points when reading the script that you were frustrated with her for not questioning him at all?—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Riboua was more skeptical, arguing that Hezbollah would likely survive the collapse of the government in Tehran but would be vastly degraded.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Mar. 2026
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While nickel alone tends to degrade quickly, the carbon layer protects it from damage while still allowing the necessary reactions to occur.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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If the Cayenne Turbo GT proved SUVs could handle like sports cars, the Taycan Turbo GT proved EVs could frighten supercars.—
Will Sabel Courtney,
Robb Report,
19 Mar. 2026
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His dribbling, direct running style and finishing frighten defenders and light up the biggest stages.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For the country’s leadership, weakened militarily and more isolated than ever, inflicting economic suffering has become the most powerful weapon available.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
25 Mar. 2026
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Continuous support could theoretically weaken muscles, so experts advise mixing exo use with traditional ergonomics and exercise.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Demoralize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demoralize. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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