1
as in to paralyze
to deprive of courage or confidence
the mere sight of the forbidding cliffs demoralized the climbers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of demoralize
Jen DeLorenzo, a career coach and founder of professional coaching business The Career Raven, says that several of her clients are feeling demoralized due to long job searches.
—
Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
Such was the importance placed on the tree for mobilizing resistance that in 1775, it was cut down by British soldiers to demoralize the revolutionaries.
—Ellen Walker, JSTOR Daily, 3 Sep. 2025
The departures leave a leadership void that, according to current and former CDC officials, has demoralized the agency’s staff and will further undermine its ability to provide reliable guidance to Americans.
—Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2025
According to a friend who works at Social Security, top leaders have quit, staff is demoralized and many are concerned about DOGE personnel accessing our personal data, violating security protocols and pushing a complete and rapid overhaul of the entire computer systems.
—Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demoralize
Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
Such was the importance placed on the tree for mobilizing resistance that in 1775, it was cut down by British soldiers to demoralize the revolutionaries.
—Ellen Walker, JSTOR Daily, 3 Sep. 2025
The departures leave a leadership void that, according to current and former CDC officials, has demoralized the agency’s staff and will further undermine its ability to provide reliable guidance to Americans.
—Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2025
According to a friend who works at Social Security, top leaders have quit, staff is demoralized and many are concerned about DOGE personnel accessing our personal data, violating security protocols and pushing a complete and rapid overhaul of the entire computer systems.
—Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demoralize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demoralize
Verb
-
The role is particularly noteworthy considering Dane announced earlier this year that he was diagnosed with ALS, a neurodegenerative disease that gradually paralyzes the body by destroying the nerve cells that control muscle movement.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
20 Oct. 2025
-
The demonstrations come as the federal government enters its 18th day of shutdown, which has paralyzed federal programs and services while testing the constitutional balance of power.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Friends star, 56, is the daughter of the late Days of Our Lives actor John Aniston and noted that despite his lengthy acting career, her dad actively discouraged her from following in his footsteps.—
Rachel McRady,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Don’t be discouraged Keep in mind that potty training is a months-long process.—
Madeline Gunderson,
USA Today,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
We were crushed, humiliated, and broken, after our city was destroyed, occupied and erased from existence.—
Ruth Margalit,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Alarr’s unwelcome physical touching made Plaintiff feel offended, uncomfortable, humiliated and intimidated.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Alarr’s unwelcome physical touching made Plaintiff feel offended, uncomfortable, humiliated and intimidated.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Don’t let the size of this plant intimidate you.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
If the White House grows distracted, or frustrated by slow progress, fighting could easily resume.—
Bloomberg Opinion,
Twin Cities,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Appearing frustrated, Pitzer grabbed the child’s finger and used it to smear icing onto their face, according to the sheriff’s office.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The team discovered that oxygen can degrade riboflavin when exposed to light, which leads to self-discharge.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
-
In Brazil, wildcat gold mining degrades the Amazon rainforest and imperils Indigenous groups.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
There are no effective repellents or devices that frighten away raccoons.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
18 Oct. 2025
-
One, frightened, pressed her belly into the pavement.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
While the very high end of the market is strong, the aspirational luxury market has weakened due to economic pressures.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Far from expanding opportunity, this excessive wealth locks millions out of the chance to innovate and build, weakening growth for all.—
Scott Ellis,
Time,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demoralize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demoralize. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share