morale

[muh-ral]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR morale ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

emotional or mental condition with respect to cheerfulness, confidence, zeal, etc., especially in the face of opposition, hardship, etc.: the morale of the troops.

Origin of morale

1745–55; < French, noun use of feminine of moral moral

Can be confusedmoral morale (see synonym study at moral)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for morale

attitude, resolve, self-confidence, spirit, mood, vigor, heart, outlook, humor, self-possession, drive, mettle, turn, disposition, temperament, temper, assurance, esprit

Examples from the Web for morale

Contemporary Examples of morale

That announcement dealt a huge blow to our morale internally and to the case that we made to minority voters externally.
The Valerie Jarrett I Know: How She Saved the Obama Campaign and Why She’s Indispensable
Joshua DuBois
November 18, 2014
Itani told me that news of the letter was awful for the morale of the opposition forces.
Is Obama Done Playing Footsie With Assad?
Michael Tomasky
November 17, 2014
“All this boosts the morale of the Afghan Taliban,” says the colonel.
Kabul Airport Attack Comes as Pakistani Fighters Join Afghan Taliban
Sami Yousafzai
July 17, 2014
With the Pentagon concerned about fatigue and morale, a lost piece of valuable property is the last thing these families need.
American G.I.s: Dude, Where’s My Car?
Tim Mak
July 16, 2014
At a meeting, a chaplain said “Morale seems to be up… at least for those headed home.”
How I’ll End the War: My First Week Back in Afghanistan
Nick Willard
May 1, 2014

Historical Examples of morale

Thirdly, we were to emphasise to the men that Turkish morale was on the wane.
With Manchesters in the East
Gerald B. Hurst
In this battle there was as great a change in morale as in the battle of the Ourcq.
The Story of the Great War, Volume II (of VIII)
Various
In seventy-two hours he has wrecked the morale of Manhattan.
The Mind Master
Arthur J. Burks
The men take pride in keeping up the morale of the regiment.
Three Years in the Federal Cavalry
Willard Glazier
This retirement on the Somme is clever, though it may tell on the morale of his men.
War Letters of a Public-School Boy
Paul Jones.

British Dictionary definitions for morale

morale

noun

the degree of mental or moral confidence of a person or group; spirit of optimism

Word Origin for morale

C18: morals, from French, n. use of moral (adj)

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 morale

1752, "moral principles or practice," from French morale "morality, good conduct," from fem. of Old French moral "moral" (see moral (adj.)). Meaning "confidence" (especially in a military context) first recorded 1831, from confusion with French moral (French distinguishes le moral "temperament" and la morale "morality").