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
The combination of Project 2025's prescription for NOAA, along with news reports of coming, steep staff cuts — so far unsubstantiated — has left the agency's staff demoralized.
—Andrew Freedman, Axios, 12 Feb. 2025
Such dominance on the glass sets a tone of physicality and demoralizes the opponent.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Unfortunately, our entire national ideology is predicated on coddling the feelings of women and minorities, and demoralizing competent white men.
—Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
Resource limitations can leave leaders feeling powerless and demoralized.
—Chaitra Vedullapalli, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demoralize
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Andrew Freedman, Axios, 12 Feb. 2025
Such dominance on the glass sets a tone of physicality and demoralizes the opponent.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Unfortunately, our entire national ideology is predicated on coddling the feelings of women and minorities, and demoralizing competent white men.
—Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
Resource limitations can leave leaders feeling powerless and demoralized.
—Chaitra Vedullapalli, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demoralize
Cite this Entry
“Demoralize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demoralize. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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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