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.—Franklin D. Roosevelt
c
: to throw into disorder
: the act or process of demoralizing : a demoralized state
the demoralization of peace was more difficult to combat than the madness of war—Ellen Glasgow
Cite this Entry
“Demoralize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demoralize. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.
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