demoralize

especially British, de·mor·al·ise

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

verb (used with object)

demoralized, demoralizing 

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.

demoralize

/ dɪˈmɒrəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to undermine the morale of; dishearten

   he was demoralized by his defeat

2. to debase morally; corrupt

3. to throw into confusion

Other Word Forms

• demoralization noun
• demoralizer noun
• demoralizingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of demoralize¹

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

Example Sentences

Alzheimer’s, like many progressive diseases, is, by turns, heart-wrenching, demoralizing and draining.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The plan was to demoralize war-weary, homesick troops scattered around the Pacific theater.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“I have felt demoralized by this situation and have always asked and almost begged for them to be a part of my life.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In a world that often demoralizes rural Americans, and Appalachians in particular, it is imperative that we understand the value of our experience.

Read more on Salon

As a culture, we probably do create unreasonable, sentimental expectations around family that depress and demoralize vast numbers of people.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• dampen 
• daunt 
• debilitate 
• deject 
• disconcert 
• discourage 
• dishearten 
• disorganize 
• dispirit 
• disturb 
• embarrass 
• sap 
• undermine 
• unsettle 
• upset 
• weaken