demoralize

verb

di-ˈmȯr-ə-ˌlīz How to pronounce demoralize (audio)
Definition of demoralizenext
1
as in to paralyze
to deprive of courage or confidence the mere sight of the forbidding cliffs demoralized the climbers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to discourage
to lessen the courage or confidence of we refused to be demoralized by our humiliating defeat and vowed to come roaring back the following week

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to humiliate
to lower in character, dignity, or quality felt society as a whole has been demoralized by the widespread availability of pornography

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of demoralize Those have avoided injuries to key players that can demoralize a team and affect a season. — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026 There was concern that demoralized and impoverished Europeans—artists and intellectuals especially—would be drawn to the blandishments of the Soviet Union. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 Nelson, demoralized by the trade, missed nine games that season due to illness and resigned under pressure three months later in February 1995. — John Raby, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026 Nelson, demoralized by the trade, missed nine games that season because of illness and resigned under pressure three months later in February 1995. — John Raby, Los Angeles Times, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for demoralize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demoralize
  1. paralyze
  2. discourage
  3. humiliate
  4. intimidate
  5. frustrate
  6. degrade
  7. frighten
  8. weaken
Verb
  • Clancy jumped out of a window after strangling the children to death and was paralyzed in the fall.
    — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Clancy is now partially paralyzed due to her suicide attempt and is being held at Tewksbury hospital.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of paralyze
Verb
  • This altruistic philosophy, however, doesn't discourage Obeid from partnering with, or promoting trendy food businesses.
    — Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Moving these forces back from the likely front would keep its options open and discourage risk-taking by eastern NATO members.
    — JENNIFER KAVANAGH, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of discourage
Verb
  • My husband was humiliated, he was degraded, and not able to defend himself.
    — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Our minds generate sharp retorts or zingers that would eviscerate or humiliate them.
    — Dr. Joel M. Rothaizer, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of humiliate
Verb
  • The Basij boosted its presence during the war, and hard-liners have held nightly rallies in Tehran and other cities, drumming up support and intimidating any possible dissenters.
    — Lee Keath, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Civil rights organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union accused the department of attempting to intimidate the public by arming agents with another use-of-force option.
    — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of intimidate
Verb
  • Conservative political analyst Melik Abdul agreed with Tindell, telling CNN as a Black Mississippi native he has been frustrated by how Crump has zeroed in on race in the Wells case.
    — Ryan Young, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Jolly has pitched himself to voters as someone offering a tent for Floridians who are independents, Republicans and Democrats frustrated with the status quo of a political zeitgeist that prioritizes polarization and stokes riots rather than uniting.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of frustrate
Verb
  • Moreover, certified testing by the Korea Testing & Research Institute (KTR) verified the materials won’t degrade, rating them for over 10 years of continuous use.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Use that gap to isolate the employee's side, then deliberately degrade whatever residual customer voice remains.
    — Vivek Thomas, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of degrade
Verb
  • Her mount, meanwhile, is frightened by lightning and runs off.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The rising cost of health care has frightened many people, including those with health insurance.
    — Cara Kelly, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of frighten
Verb
  • Even if Korea can maintain 2% economic growth over the next two decades, consumption growth gradually weakens and eventually turns negative, according to Goldman’s long-term modeling.
    — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Riggs said the Teamsters’ safety argument is weakened by the inconsistent safety record of human truck drivers, who have fallen asleep at the wheel or driven while distracted or otherwise impaired.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of weaken

Browse Nearby Words

demoralization
demoralize
demoralized
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Demoralize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demoralize. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All