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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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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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 American Academy of Pediatrics discourages digital media for children younger than 18 months, except for video chatting.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
2 Mar. 2026
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City officials say the goal is to discourage prolonged property neglect and promote compliance with property maintenance standards.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Most casual fans could spend their entire lives studying a library’s worth of chess theory, only to still be routinely humiliated by competitive players.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
26 Feb. 2026
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Fatme feels humiliated, but Toha is too busy plotting how to return from her rundown village near the Nile.—
Alissa Simon,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The recent dispatch of thousands of immigration agents to Minneapolis has exacerbated Democratic concerns Trump might use them or even federal troops to intimidate voters in the name of law and order in Democratic-leaning cities.—
Carl P. Leubsdorf,
Twin Cities,
1 Mar. 2026
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The Lord of the Rings Sauron’s Helmet Build an impressive replica of Sauron’s intimidating helmet, complete with a display stand, name plaque, and a minifigure clutching the One Ring.—
Brittany Anas,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 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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Although weakened, the factions still survive, and could form a powerful, transnational and motivated insurgency when the time comes to fight whatever emerges if the Islamic Republic falls.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
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Several bills that had been filed in the state Senate and House of Representatives, which critics have warned would weaken reporting and training standards for the Department of Child and Family Services, have been put on hold, according to state officials.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Demoralize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demoralize. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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