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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

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
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