demoralize

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

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.

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

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.
The Trampling of the Lilies
Rafael Sabatini
“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.
Notes on Life and Letters
Joseph Conrad
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)

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.