demoralize
verb
de·mor·al·ize
di-ˈmȯr-ə-ˌlīz 
ˌdē-,
-ˈmär-
demoralized; demoralizing; demoralizes
1
: to cause to turn aside or away from what is good or true or morally right : to corrupt the morals of
2
a
: to weaken the morale of : discourage, dispirit
were demoralized by the loss
b
: to upset or destroy the normal functioning of
foreclosures were further demoralizing an already desperate real-estate market—
F. D. Roosevelt
F. D. Roosevelt
c
: to throw into disorder
Examples of demoralize in a Sentence
the mere sight of the forbidding cliffs demoralized the climbers
we refused to be demoralized by our humiliating defeat and vowed to come roaring back the following week
Recent Examples on the Web
There was something deeply demoralizing about abandoning my dream—something so un-American about it, and also un-Asian.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
So, as a bit of free advice to all the awards strategists out there, here’s how the top-15 Best Picture hopefuls can craft a winning message out of a demoralizing defeat.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 16 Nov. 2024
An employee who is secure in their place in the organization can rest assured that they will not be demoralized by someone else swooping in and undermining their decisions or undercutting their authority.
—Joe Altieri, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Exciting the Democratic base, demoralizing Republicans, and getting positive post-debate headlines aren’t bad things for a candidate locked in a close race.
—W. James Antle Iii, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 13 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for demoralize 
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Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
So, as a bit of free advice to all the awards strategists out there, here’s how the top-15 Best Picture hopefuls can craft a winning message out of a demoralizing defeat.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 16 Nov. 2024
An employee who is secure in their place in the organization can rest assured that they will not be demoralized by someone else swooping in and undermining their decisions or undercutting their authority.
—Joe Altieri, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Exciting the Democratic base, demoralizing Republicans, and getting positive post-debate headlines aren’t bad things for a candidate locked in a close race.
—W. James Antle Iii, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 13 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for demoralize
Dictionary Entries Near demoralize
Cite this Entry
“Demoralize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demoralize. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
demoralize
verb
de·mor·al·ize
di-ˈmȯr-ə-ˌlīz
-ˈmär-
1
: to make bad or evil
2
: to weaken in spirit or discipline
fear demoralized the army
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