demoralize
to deprive (a person or persons) of spirit, courage, discipline, etc.; destroy the morale of: The continuous barrage demoralized the infantry.
to throw (a person) into disorder or confusion; bewilder: We were so demoralized by that one wrong turn that we were lost for hours.
to corrupt or undermine the morals of.
Origin of demoralize
1- Also especially British, de·mor·al·ise .
Other words from demoralize
- de·mor·al·i·za·tion, noun
- de·mor·al·iz·er, noun
- de·mor·al·iz·ing·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use demoralize in a sentence
Provost General Macy, of Massachusetts, established a guard to prevent depredations and to save the army from demoralization.
The Boys of '61 | Charles Carleton Coffin.From which it may be inferred,” remarked Isagani with a bitter smile, “that the government wishes our demoralization.
The Reign of Greed | Jose RizalThey were more like militia than regular forces; they fostered military virtues, without the demoralization of standing armies.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume V | John LordIdle hours work demoralization and the ever-present example of the village loafer is not good.
The Minister and the Boy | Allan HobenThe march of fifteen miles to Imbike showed a great demoralization in his men, many of them not coming up till nightfall.
Stanley's Adventures in the Wilds of Africa | Joel Tyler Headley and William Fletcher Johnson
British Dictionary definitions for demoralize
demoralise
/ (dɪˈmɒrəˌlaɪz) /
to undermine the morale of; dishearten: he was demoralized by his defeat
to debase morally; corrupt
to throw into confusion
Derived forms of demoralize
- demoralization or demoralisation, noun
- demoralizer or demoraliser, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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