Synonyms of demoralize

demoralize

verb

di-ˈmȯr-ə-ˌlīz 

1

as in to paralyze

to deprive of courage or confidence

the mere sight of the forbidding cliffs demoralized the climbers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• paralyze
• intimidate
• frighten
• terrify
• scare
• emasculate
• unnerve
• unsettle
• undo
• debilitate
• weaken
• unman
• terrorize
• discourage
• waste
• disturb
• enervate
• enfeeble
• soften
• dishearten
• dispirit
• unstring
• neuter
• upset
• sap
• daunt
• perturb
• unbalance
• tire
• unhinge
• psych (out)
• dismay
• faze
• prostrate
• derange
• disquiet
• discompose
• craze
• madden
• weird out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• nerve
• strengthen
• encourage
• fortify
• hearten
• embolden

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

• discourage
• frustrate
• intimidate
• dishearten
• frighten
• dispirit
• daunt
• scare
• unnerve
• afflict
• browbeat
• horrify
• bother
• worry
• dismay
• try
• throw cold water on
• undermine
• chill
• unman
• trouble
• distress
• depress
• bully
• weaken
• weigh
• cow
• sadden
• deaden
• debilitate
• dampen
• vex
• irk
• enfeeble
• damp

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• encourage
• nerve
• steel
• cheer
• reinforce
• enforce
• strengthen
• hearten
• assure
• embolden
• enliven
• animate
• fortify
• stimulate
• reassure
• invigorate
• gladden
• buoy (up)
• inspire
• provoke
• excite
• energize
• stir
• lift
• boost
• rally
• quicken
• galvanize

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

• humiliate
• degrade
• weaken
• subvert
• corrupt
• destroy
• deteriorate
• demean
• dilute
• poison
• debase
• debauch
• pervert
• ruin
• damage
• deprave
• vitiate
• lessen
• abase
• disgrace
• cheapen
• bastardize
• prostitute
• hurt
• pollute
• shame
• mar
• taint
• contaminate
• warp
• impair
• harm
• humble
• profane
• canker
• dirty
• spoil
• defile
• dishonor
• wreck
• thin
• tarnish
• water down
• flaw
• descend
• stain
• deface
• befoul
• depreciate
• begrime
• blemish
• downgrade
• take down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• uplift
• improve
• elevate
• honor
• exalt
• enhance
• better
• ennoble
• enrich
• ameliorate
• perfect
• amend
• restore
• dignify
• clarify
• purify
• refine
• cleanse
• clean
• respect
• meliorate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of demoralize

This demoralized his troops, who promptly fled or surrendered. — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Aug. 2026

Those have avoided injuries to key players that can demoralize a team and affect a season. — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

There was concern that demoralized and impoverished Europeans—artists and intellectuals especially—would be drawn to the blandishments of the Soviet Union. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026

Nelson, demoralized by the trade, missed nine games that season due to illness and resigned under pressure three months later in February 1995. — John Raby, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026