demoralize

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

/ dɪˈmɔr əˌlaɪz, -ˈmɒr- /

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See synonyms for: demoralize / demoralized / demoralizing on Thesaurus.com

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.

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

Origin of demoralize

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

OTHER WORDS FROM demoralize

de·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. 2023

How to use demoralize in a sentence

Another reads: “the media coalition looks completely demoralised.”
New Emails Revealed as James Murdoch Takes the Stand at the Leveson Inquiry|Peter Jukes|April 25, 2012|DAILY BEAST
But the latest exposures have left the force thoroughly demoralised.
Britain’s Dodgy Coppers|Graeme McLagan|July 31, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Even New Zealand Brigade which has been only recently engaged lost heavily and is to some extent demoralised.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
Although the army was greatly demoralised during the retreat through Portugal, he never lost a single gun or baggage wagon.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison

The French army, so long accustomed to success, was absolutely demoralised by repeated disappointments and defeats.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
They set a bright example to the nobles of other countries, and very frequently even to the less demoralised society of our own.
Newton Forster|Captain Frederick Marryat
There was no question that our ranks were demoralised and heartsick.
My Reminiscences of the Anglo-Boer War|Ben Viljoen.

British Dictionary definitions for demoralize

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 forms of demoralize

demoralization 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

demoralize

Origin of demoralize

OTHER WORDS FROM demoralize

Words related to demoralize

How to use demoralize in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for demoralize

demoralise

Derived forms of demoralize