demoralize
verb
de·mor·al·ize
di-ˈmȯr-ə-ˌlīz 
ˌdē-,
-ˈmär-
demoralized; demoralizing; demoralizes
1
: to cause to turn aside or away from what is good or true or morally right : to corrupt the morals of
2
a
: to weaken the morale of : discourage, dispirit
were demoralized by the loss
b
: to upset or destroy the normal functioning of
foreclosures were further demoralizing an already desperate real-estate market—
F. D. Roosevelt
F. D. Roosevelt
c
: to throw into disorder
Examples of demoralize in a Sentence
the mere sight of the forbidding cliffs demoralized the climbers
we refused to be demoralized by our humiliating defeat and vowed to come roaring back the following week
Recent Examples on the Web
Many analysts refuse to publicly acknowledge these realities, in part out of fear that doing so would embolden Russia and demoralize Ukraine.
—Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2024
During the first run, Combs subjected contestants to outlandish, demoralizing tasks that had nothing to do with making music.
—Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 15 Oct. 2024
The only way to win the war would be to demoralize the enemy.
—Keith Gessen, The New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2024
That’s why Putin’s strategy also appears aimed at demoralizing Ukraine’s population.
—Lauren Kent, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for demoralize 
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Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2024
During the first run, Combs subjected contestants to outlandish, demoralizing tasks that had nothing to do with making music.
—Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 15 Oct. 2024
The only way to win the war would be to demoralize the enemy.
—Keith Gessen, The New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2024
That’s why Putin’s strategy also appears aimed at demoralizing Ukraine’s population.
—Lauren Kent, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for demoralize
Dictionary Entries Near demoralize
Cite this Entry
“Demoralize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demoralize. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
demoralize
verb
de·mor·al·ize
di-ˈmȯr-ə-ˌlīz
-ˈmär-
1
: to make bad or evil
2
: to weaken in spirit or discipline
fear demoralized the army
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