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

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

During that time, her role evolved from one-on-one advocate to legislative reformer, from shielding individual survivors from an aloof and demoralizing system to changing that system itself.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In Israel, Hollywood’s actions have demoralized and bewildered writers, filmmakers and producers, many of whom oppose Netanyahu’s government.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Even if these things stop tomorrow, you’ve got a pretty demoralized physician and scientific workforce. What this administration has done has given being a scientist an unsavory element — it’s no longer a noble profession.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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