demoralize
[ dih-mawr-uh-lahyz, -mor- ]
/ dɪˈmɔr əˌlaɪz, -ˈmɒr- /
|
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.
Nearby words
demonstration model, demonstrative, demonstrative pronouns, demonstrator, demonym, demoralize, demoralizing, demos, demoscene, demosthenes, demote
Also especially British, de·mor·al·ise.
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
British Dictionary definitions for demoralise
demoralize
demoralise
/ (dɪˈmɒrəˌlaɪz) /
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
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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.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper