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
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
If team owners could influence scorekeeping, fans would lose interest, players would be demoralized and sponsors would back away as public trust collapses.
—Brent Dykes, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images Ferrari's Charles Leclerc nabbed the top spot, but Norris wasn't demoralized after missing out on pole.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Aug. 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 demoralize
Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
If team owners could influence scorekeeping, fans would lose interest, players would be demoralized and sponsors would back away as public trust collapses.
—Brent Dykes, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images Ferrari's Charles Leclerc nabbed the top spot, but Norris wasn't demoralized after missing out on pole.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Aug. 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 demoralize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demoralize
Verb
-
The main risk, as shown in the video, is a thick layer of volcanic ash, paralyzing transportation, disrupting telecommunications and power grids and causing respiratory problems.—
David Bressan,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
-
Complications from the nearly five-hour procedure left Miller temporarily paralyzed from the neck down.—
Kelsey Lentz,
People.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
And recruiters, viewing job hopping as unstable and irresponsible, discourage workers from the practice.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Many in the travel industry say the White House's hardline stance on immigration, tariffs and foreign policy is discouraging tourists.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Inter Miami, clearly humiliated, let out its frustrations after the final whistle, when several Miami players, led by Luis Suarez, got into a scuffle with Seattle players.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
1 Sep. 2025
-
These violations, perpetrated primarily against Ukrainian prisoners of war, include genital violence such as electrocution, beatings and burns to the genitals, and forced stripping and prolonged nudity, used to humiliate and elicit confessions or information.—
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Rintaro, a quiet and intimidating baker, and Kaoruko, an open-minded girl with a kind heart.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Keep in mind that even though walking the riverbed to the Narrows is legal, this hasn't stopped local landowners from trying to intimidate hikers.—
Eva Frederick,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The more time went on, the more Mourinho grew visibly frustrated with his role at United.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
-
What's Next The government faces steep socioeconomic and cultural headwinds that have frustrated other nations, and whether ending the two-child policy will make a significant difference on the trend remains uncertain.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Long-term drought has degraded the old-growth forest where the squirrels live.—
John Leos,
AZCentral.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Design for Choice, Not Chaos Present customers with multiple options, from digital wallets to local payment rails, without degrading user experience.—
Christer Holloman,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Judy Hernandez’ husband Raul, a co-founder of the community group the Resurrection Project, dismissed those plans as a political stunt geared to create fear and frighten Spanish-speaking people.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Many of us are conditioned to think that our ultimate goal in life is to be with someone, so much so, that the mere thought of being alone frightens us.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Israeli strikes severely weakened Hezbollah – culminating in the assassination of its revered leader, Hassan Nasrallah – and significantly curtailed the group’s domestic clout.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Symptoms related to Listeria monocytogenes Listeria is especially harmful to people whose immune system is weakened or not fully developed but can also impact healthy individuals.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demoralize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demoralize. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share