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

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 demoralised

The French philosopher Charron was one of the men least demoralised by party spirit, and least blinded by zeal for a cause.
The History of Freedom|John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton
The fact is, Mast—and youre a good deal responsible for it—we are getting too disorganised and demoralised here.
The Exiles of Faloo|Barry Pain
The dog was a town-bred dog, and once out of his master's sight, might get demoralised and all astray.
When Ghost Meets Ghost|William Frend De Morgan
The commissariat was demoralised, and supplies were not forthcoming.
The Trampling of the Lilies|Rafael Sabatini

Porkiss was demoralised with fear, nor was his peace of mind restored when Revere said coldly: 'Oh!
Under the Deodars|Rudyard Kipling

British Dictionary definitions for demoralised

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for demoralised

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.