3 results for: demoralizing

de·mor·al·ize

Audio Help [di-mawr-uh-lahyz, -mor-] Pronunciation Key

–verb (used with object), -ized, -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.

Also, especially British, de·mor·al·ise.

[Origin: 1785–95; < F démoraliser. See de-, moral, -ize

]

—Related forms

de·mor·al·i·za·tion, noun

de·mor·al·iz·er, noun

de·mor·al·iz·ing·ly, adverb

de·mor·al·ize Audio Help (dĭ-môr'ə-līz', -mŏr'-) Pronunciation Key
tr.v. de·mor·al·ized, de·mor·al·iz·ing, de·mor·al·iz·es

To undermine the confidence or morale of; dishearten: an inconsistent policy that demoralized the staff.
To put into disorder; confuse.
To debase the morals of; corrupt.

de·mor'al·i·za'tion (-ə-lĭ-zā'shən) n., de·mor'al·iz'er n.