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
For weeks, groups have organized anti-Tesla protests across the U.S. in hopes of galvanizing opposition to Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, and energizing Democrats still demoralized by Donald Trump’s November victory.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
Ignoring someone altogether because of the invisible barrier noise canceling headphones can provide can feel demoralizing and, yes, downright rude to a person with whom you're expected to interact.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2025
Financial difficulties and health flare-ups while balancing day-to-day responsibilities can be demoralizing at best.
—Diane Winiarski, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Some antiracists have been pretty demoralized by recent events.
—John Blake, CNN, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demoralize
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Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
Ignoring someone altogether because of the invisible barrier noise canceling headphones can provide can feel demoralizing and, yes, downright rude to a person with whom you're expected to interact.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2025
Financial difficulties and health flare-ups while balancing day-to-day responsibilities can be demoralizing at best.
—Diane Winiarski, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Some antiracists have been pretty demoralized by recent events.
—John Blake, CNN, 1 Mar. 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 23 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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