as in discouraging
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
1
as in paralyzing
to deprive of courage or confidence
the mere sight of the forbidding cliffs demoralized the climbers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in frustrating
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 degrading
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 demoralizing
Kendall Capps, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
The work—in a way, a series of encounters with random elements of one-click consumerism, including coloring books and marketing guides for dentists—is tedious, repetitive, and demoralizing.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2025
The loss was more demoralizing than being held to just 11 rushing yards.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Juzang went 6-for-8 from 3-point range in a 135-134 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night, igniting the Wolves after a demoralizing first half against the defending Eastern Conference champions.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
The first came at a demoralizing time for the Patriots’ offense.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 21 Sep. 2025
The Indianapolis City-County Council is nearing a key vote that will end in either a demoralizing defeat for Google or the city approving a major data center against the wishes of the councilor and residents on the southeast side of the city.
—Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 19 Sep. 2025
What was meant to be motivating becomes demoralizing.
—George Bradt, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
To start the season 0-2 can be a bit demoralizing.
—Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The Jays were able to put their demoralizing, 18-inning loss the night before behind them as the bats came back to life.
—Kendall Capps, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
The work—in a way, a series of encounters with random elements of one-click consumerism, including coloring books and marketing guides for dentists—is tedious, repetitive, and demoralizing.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2025
The loss was more demoralizing than being held to just 11 rushing yards.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Juzang went 6-for-8 from 3-point range in a 135-134 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night, igniting the Wolves after a demoralizing first half against the defending Eastern Conference champions.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
The first came at a demoralizing time for the Patriots’ offense.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 21 Sep. 2025
The Indianapolis City-County Council is nearing a key vote that will end in either a demoralizing defeat for Google or the city approving a major data center against the wishes of the councilor and residents on the southeast side of the city.
—Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 19 Sep. 2025
What was meant to be motivating becomes demoralizing.
—George Bradt, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
To start the season 0-2 can be a bit demoralizing.
—Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
The big pass plays were demoralizing to a Kansas squad trying to engineer a comeback most of the game.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demoralizing
Adjective
-
The Rams want to go into their bye week with a win after two straight years entering their off week coming off a discouraging loss.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
18 Oct. 2025
-
This will be a discouraging experience for you.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Discipline without optimism is paralyzing.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Shortly after Henry’s death, Augusta suffered two paralyzing strokes, intensifying her and Ed’s isolated, co-dependent relationship before her death in 1945.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The local politicians like Mayor Wu who are staying mum are just compounding cronyism and degrading the livability of the neighborhood.—
Lou Murray,
Boston Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Rain, wind gusts, birds and other atmospheric surprises during low-altitude flight might alter the inflowing air to the cruise missile, degrading the reactor.—
Dan Vergano,
Scientific American,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
For those dealing with the disheartening struggles of infertility, this is good news.—
Abby McCloskey,
Twin Cities,
29 Oct. 2025
-
At the end of the day, the result was a bit disheartening.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Kids will love sending this Dilophosaurus sauntering across the floor, frightening everything and everyone in his path.—
Pamela Brill,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Instances of swatting have been plaguing the nation for years, with fake shooting threats frightening the public and forcing schools, hospitals, grocery stores, office buildings, and airports into temporary lockdowns.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
This announcement, humiliating the involved member, is harmful.—
Kelly G. Richardson,
Oc Register,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The Land of Spooks is a phantasmagorical blend of twisting gothic spires, impossible land formations, and disconcerting expressionist proportions.—
Kambole Campbell,
IndieWire,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The findings are deeply disconcerting.—
Stephanie Silverman,
Fortune,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
British pubs can be intimidating for visitors.—
Daniel Wine,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
-
In the 2025 case related to the letters he is accused of sending from jail, Scott is charged with one count of misappropriating a person's identity to harm their reputation, intimidating a witness, and two counts of felony bail jumping.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demoralizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demoralizing. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share