demoralize

[ dih-mawr-uh-lahyz, -mor- ]

verb (used with object)

, de·mor·al·ized, de·mor·al·iz·ing.

1. to deprive (a person or persons) of spirit, courage, discipline, etc.; destroy the morale of:

   The continuous barrage demoralized the infantry.

2. to throw (a person) into disorder or confusion; bewilder:

   We were so demoralized by that one wrong turn that we were lost for hours.

3. to corrupt or undermine the morals of.

demoralize

/ dɪˈmɒrəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to undermine the morale of; dishearten

   he was demoralized by his defeat

2. to debase morally; corrupt
3. to throw into confusion

Derived Forms

• deˌmoraliˈzation, noun
• deˈmoralˌizer, noun

Other Words From

• de·moral·i·zation noun
• de·moral·izer noun
• de·moral·izing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of demoralize¹

From the French word démoraliser, dating back to 1785–95. See de-, moral, -ize

Example Sentences

“I was really surprised, number one, at the attempts to not only undermine policy direction, but also attempts to demoralize, demean, and discredit political appointees who are responsible for implementing the vision set out by President Trump,” said Mandy Gunasekara, who spent three years as a Trump appointee at the EPA, including a stint as Wheeler’s chief of staff.

From Salon

They tie up resources, enrage and distract elected officials, demoralize workers who are struggling to restore roads, electricity and water, and, inevitably, invite threats of violence.

From Los Angeles Times

Israeli news outlets generally no longer air them, considering them propaganda meant to demoralize the public.

From Los Angeles Times

Yet the Trump campaign seems stuck in the strategy they had been counting on for months against Biden: demoralize Democrat voters so they stay at home while turning out the dirtbag vote with an overtly misogynist, trolling-based campaign.

From Salon

Many in South Korea believe a resumption of loudspeaker broadcasts would severely sting North Korea’s leadership because of fears the broadcasts would demoralize frontline troops and residents of the rigidly controlled society and eventually weaken Kim Jong Un’s leadership.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• dampen
• daunt
• debilitate
• deject
• disconcert
• discourage
• dishearten
• disorganize
• dispirit
• disturb
• embarrass
• sap
• undermine
• unsettle
• upset
• weaken