1
as in to paralyze
to deprive of courage or confidence
the mere sight of the forbidding cliffs demoralized the climbers
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of demoralize
Since taking the helm in 2023, Wentworth has repeatedly warned investors that many elements of the company need a time-consuming turnaround—from its tired stores, ill-equipped for the e-commerce era, to shrinking reimbursement rates, to demoralized staff.
—
Phil Wahba, Fortune, 17 June 2025
Entering the profession with hefty student loans can be demoralizing and stressful, the report said, adding to the challenges new teachers face.
—Carolyn Jones, Mercury News, 11 June 2025
And so is the season, really, if that doesn’t somehow change soon … and they’re left staring at the demoralizing prospect of being sellers rather than buyers at the July 31 trade deadline.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2025
The Mets’ malaise stretched into a second straight series sweep, this time a more demoralizing one to the division rival Atlanta Braves.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for demoralize
Phil Wahba, Fortune, 17 June 2025
Entering the profession with hefty student loans can be demoralizing and stressful, the report said, adding to the challenges new teachers face.
—Carolyn Jones, Mercury News, 11 June 2025
And so is the season, really, if that doesn’t somehow change soon … and they’re left staring at the demoralizing prospect of being sellers rather than buyers at the July 31 trade deadline.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2025
The Mets’ malaise stretched into a second straight series sweep, this time a more demoralizing one to the division rival Atlanta Braves.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for demoralize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demoralize
Verb
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With the House floor paralyzed, House GOP leaders announced on Tuesday that the chamber is leaving for a five-week district work period a day earlier than expected.—
Lauren Peller,
ABC News,
22 July 2025
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House Republicans, paralyzed by internal fighting over the Jeffrey Epstein files, will embark early for a lengthy summer recess later this week after canceling votes on Thursday.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
22 July 2025
Verb
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In some cities, local law enforcement is discouraged from cooperating with federal immigration officials, while in others local authorities just don't actively involve themselves in immigration enforcement.—
Sharon Coolidge,
The Enquirer,
30 July 2025
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Covering the soil with a ½ inch of coarse sand or fine gravel can also discourage egg laying.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
30 July 2025
Verb
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Coach Ruben Amorim publicly humiliated him before a loan move to Aston Villa for the final half of the campaign.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
20 July 2025
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Caught in an undignified situation, humiliated by a hot, skinnier love interest, Jessica was the latest incarnation of the funny fat lady (who is never actually that fat, merely representative of the average American woman).—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
16 July 2025
Verb
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Goalkeepers can intimidate strikers into poor shooting decisions with a good stare-down.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
24 July 2025
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Cycling shoes can be intimidating—particularly the idea of wearing something that locks your feet right to your bike’s pedals.—
Jennifer Heimlich,
SELF,
23 July 2025
Verb
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The men's families and supporters were frustrated with the pace of the hearing.—
Christina Hall,
Freep.com,
31 July 2025
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Not being able to offer a heart-lung transplant in Austin frustrates Fraser.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
Verb
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Poor sizing can result in uneven temperatures, higher utility bills, potentially shorter equipment lifespan, and degraded indoor air quality.—
Brynn Cooksey,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
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In April, Hamdan Ballal, another of the film’s co-directors, was beaten and degraded by Israeli settlers, then blindfolded and detained at an army base, only weeks after winning an Oscar.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
29 July 2025
Verb
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Stink bugs tend to drop when frightened, so fill a cup with soapy water and hold it under the stink bug.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
19 July 2025
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What starts as a simple favor to keep her great-niece turns into a wild Halloween night filled with jump scares and pranks — but as usual, nothing frightens her more than bad manners and disrespect. Boo 2!—
Jane LaCroix,
People.com,
13 July 2025
Verb
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This weakens their ability to educate, create, and grow.—
Miguel Cardona,
Time,
21 July 2025
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This could help verify recent findings from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) that suggest this strange force is actually weakening over time.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
20 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demoralize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demoralize. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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