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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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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Recent Examples of demoralize
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
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
See All Example Sentences for demoralize
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
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
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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Make pruning cuts at a 45 degree angle to allow water runoff and discourage diseases such as bacterial leaf spot.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
16 Mar. 2026
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That's why Schwartz discourages people from self-diagnosing and treating with cleanses.—
Sarah Boden,
NPR,
16 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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After a fall that left so many fan bases frustrated, this is a spring worth celebrating.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2026
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Meanwhile, American consumers are already frustrated by the high cost of living.—
Brian Cheung,
NBC news,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Exposure to moisture and carbon dioxide can trigger side reactions that degrade the cathode, blocking ion movement and reducing performance.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Mar. 2026
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Phase 1 degrades military power and holds hostage the regime’s economic lifelines.—
Richard Goldberg,
The Atlantic,
16 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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When presidents sidestep formal addresses and Congress declines to insist upon them, the deliberative architecture of the republic weakens.—
Kenneth Zagacki,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Mar. 2026
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High supply and weakening renter demand have apartment landlords living in an ever-more competitive space.—
Diana Olick,
CNBC,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Demoralize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demoralize. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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