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View synonyms for demoralize

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


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Derived Forms

  • deˈmoralˌizer, noun
  • deˌmoraliˈzation, noun

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Other Words From

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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of demoralize1

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

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Example Sentences

The first restricts drug use, possession, sale, and distribution to the purposes of science or medicine, while the second sees collaboration to intercept and demoralize drug traffickers.

From Vox

Which means that they are still good enough to demoralize the competition in some of the more low-profile races around the globe.

She warned that taking away school police would demoralize Alexandria staff.

I don’t know what is right now, the principles of democracy have been so denigrated and demoralized around the world.

From Ozy

Police Commissioner Dermot Shea has said that his officers are feeling constrained by a new bill passed by the City Council that makes it a crime to put their knee into someone’s back and are feeling demoralized by a general lack of public support.

So in addition to being able to demoralize and exhaust you, the book tour can kill you.

Accusations of dishonor demonize and demoralize, making it difficult to compromise, and sapping the motivation to act nobly.

Okay, Israel has a bad addiction, to settlements, but why demoralize us?

Capturing bin Laden would, it's safe to say, demoralize al Qaeda's remaining leadership far more than killing him has.

This was the beginning of the fatal practice destined in the end to enervate France and demoralize the army.

Not a brigade from Lee had reached the city, and the disaster was calculated to demoralize the Rebel soldiers.

The worst of it was that his behavior, as I could see, had already begun to demoralize the objects of his misplaced politeness.

Let us guard the children and put down every influence that would tend to demoralize either our boys or girls!

Let us put down with an indignant rebuke every attempt to demoralize our action or destroy its effect.

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demonymDe Morgan