demoralize

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

verb (used with object), de·mor·al·ized, de·mor·al·iz·ing.

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.

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

Origin of demoralize

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

Related formsde·mor·al·i·za·tion, nounde·mor·al·iz·er, nounde·mor·al·iz·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for demoralise

Historical Examples of demoralise

Of the tendency of cruelty to demoralise its victims I have already spoken.
What Is and What Might Be
Edmond Holmes
It is difficult to say which of the two motives is the more likely to demoralise the child.
What Is and What Might Be
Edmond Holmes
This seemed to demoralise every one, and they all commenced to retire.
South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. 2 (of 6)
Louis Creswicke
Why demoralise them, why instil the love of money into their innocent minds?
Mr. Punch on the Continong
Various
If he love her, the chances are that she will in the end weaken and demoralise him.
A Commonplace Book of Thoughts, Memories, and Fancies.
Anna Jameson

British Dictionary definitions for demoralise

demoralize

demoralise

verb (tr)

to undermine the morale of; disheartenhe was demoralized by his defeat

to debase morally; corrupt

to throw into confusion

Derived Formsdemoralization or demoralisation, noundemoralizer 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

Word Origin and History for demoralise

demoralize

c.1793, "to corrupt the morals of," from French démoraliser, from de- "remove" (see de-) + moral (adj.) (see moral). Said to be a coinage of the French Revolution. Sense of "lower the morale of" (especially of armies) is first recorded 1848. Related: Demoralized; demoralizing.