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demoralize

[dih-mawr-uh-lahyz, -mor-]
verb (used with object), de·mor·al·ized, de·mor·al·iz·ing.
  1. to deprive (a person or persons) of spirit, courage, discipline, etc.; destroy the morale of: The continuous barrage demoralized the infantry.
  2. to throw (a person) into disorder or confusion; bewilder: We were so demoralized by that one wrong turn that we were lost for hours.
  3. 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
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. 2018

Examples from the Web for demoralised

Historical Examples of demoralised

  • It is the sober who are demoralised by it, and not the lawless who are deterred.

    Shelley, Godwin and Their Circle

    H. N. Brailsford

  • The commissariat was demoralised, and supplies were not forthcoming.

  • “It was the filthy boche propaganda that demoralised them,” rejoined Estridge.

    The Crimson Tide

    Robert W. Chambers

  • Mankind has been demoralised since by its own mastery of mechanical appliances.

  • The excitements of the past six hours had demoralised me altogether.

    Tom, Dick and Harry

    Talbot Baines Reed

British Dictionary definitions for demoralised

demoralize

demoralise

verb (tr)
  1. to undermine the morale of; disheartenhe was demoralized by his defeat
  2. to debase morally; corrupt
  3. to throw into confusion
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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

v.

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.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper