1
as in to paralyze
to deprive of courage or confidence
the mere sight of the forbidding cliffs demoralized the climbers
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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
The drill was part of an intensifying military pressure campaign to intimidate the Taiwanese leadership, demoralize the population, and wear down the island’s resistance to unification with the mainland.
—Andy Browne, semafor.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Bangladeshi civil society welcomed rhetorical support for its democracy but was demoralized by Washington’s reluctance to act decisively.
—Muhib Rahman, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2025
On the inbound, Gary Payton found a cutting Fisher, who turned and heaved a miracle 18-footer at the buzzer, demoralizing the Spurs.
—The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demoralize
Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
The drill was part of an intensifying military pressure campaign to intimidate the Taiwanese leadership, demoralize the population, and wear down the island’s resistance to unification with the mainland.
—Andy Browne, semafor.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Bangladeshi civil society welcomed rhetorical support for its democracy but was demoralized by Washington’s reluctance to act decisively.
—Muhib Rahman, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2025
On the inbound, Gary Payton found a cutting Fisher, who turned and heaved a miracle 18-footer at the buzzer, demoralizing the Spurs.
—The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demoralize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demoralize
Verb
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More than a decade ago, an armed robbery left Don Bryant paralyzed and fighting for his life.—
Tamia Boyd,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Feb. 2026
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The death of a major cartel boss in Mexico has unleashed a violent backlash in which members of the criminal group have paralyzed some cities through blockades and attacks on property and security forces.—
Angélica Durán-Martínez,
The Conversation,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The bitter taste discourages some animals, and others are put off by the smell.—
Joan Morris,
Mercury News,
23 Feb. 2026
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And try not to get discouraged by a stitch, either.—
Sarah Klein,
Outside,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In the dormitory, the classroom, and on the football team, where Negroes were allowed only to be linebackers, he was humiliated.—
Gail Sheehy,
Vanity Fair,
20 Feb. 2026
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The gesture provoked a seismic reaction internationally while infuriating Olympic officials who claimed Smith and Carlos used the world stage to humiliate their home country.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Cash’s fine-dining pedigree (including time at Per Se and Noma) might suggest formality, but the brick walls and leather banquettes feel inviting, not intimidating.—
Karla Walsh,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Feb. 2026
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Sunderland 1-1 Fulham Everton vs Manchester United An evening kick-off at Goodison Park, under the floodlights, could be intimidating for visiting teams — and sometimes for the home team.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Responses ranged from truckers frustrated by the rule to others who argued trucks should use separate service stations.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
25 Feb. 2026
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Many European governments have been frustrated that China hasn’t done more to pressure Russia to end the fighting.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Vinegar can damage some finishes and the protective coating on some wood cabinets may have degraded over time.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2026
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All of these steps degrade or destroy the aromatic compounds that made the flower compelling in the first place.—
Sara Payan,
Rolling Stone,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The piercing sunlight frightens her.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Feb. 2026
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While 21 page-menus might frighten the coach of a position where speed and agility are crucial, these types of moments are exactly how Harris thinks his unit will mesh.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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While speculation has focused on the possibility of two Republicans advancing, the more likely scenario is that only one GOP candidate reaches November — and does so weakened.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Feb. 2026
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The effect occurs because friction between grains drops sharply under fast loads, weakening the internal force networks that normally support the material.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Demoralize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demoralize. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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