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

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

A study of morale gave insight into many related factors, including that of morality.
A Jewish Chaplain in France
Lee J. Levinger
It produced a morale which could only be overcome by desperate and continuous hard fighting.
Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, Complete
Ulysses S. Grant
As was usual in all Teutonic drives, endeavors were made by propaganda work to break down the morale of the Italian troops.
Kelly Miller's History of the World War for Human Rights
Kelly Miller
These forces are well trained, well equipped, and high in morale.
State of the Union Addresses of Calvin Coolidge
Calvin Coolidge
"Morale effect," said the major-general, through stiff lips.
Morale
Murray Leinster

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").