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
So is rousing the demoralized with the example of heroes who have prevailed.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Public criticism can demoralize not only the individual, but also the whole team, whereas private feedback fosters growth, maintains dignity and strengthens trust.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Preachers are demoralized, decreed, distracted, and dissected.
—Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
The one dissenting judge stepped down from the bar six months later, demoralized by his inability to stop the sentencing.
—Chris Lau and Yumi Asada, CNN, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demoralize
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Jesse Green, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Public criticism can demoralize not only the individual, but also the whole team, whereas private feedback fosters growth, maintains dignity and strengthens trust.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Preachers are demoralized, decreed, distracted, and dissected.
—Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
The one dissenting judge stepped down from the bar six months later, demoralized by his inability to stop the sentencing.
—Chris Lau and Yumi Asada, CNN, 25 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 24 Apr. 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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