1
as in to paralyze
to deprive of courage or confidence
the mere sight of the forbidding cliffs demoralized the climbers
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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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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
The big pass plays were demoralizing to a Kansas squad trying to engineer a comeback most of the game.
—
Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2025
In a little less than four years, Russia has damaged or destroyed some 3,500 schools in an apparent campaign to demoralize the population and pave the way for its Russification.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 19 Oct. 2025
One reason is that the fan base is demoralized after La Vinotinto was routed 6-3 by Colombia in the final qualifying date last month and failed to earn a World Cup playoff spot.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
Some talked about food prices and the cost of living; others talked about being demoralized by war.
—Eric Lach, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demoralize
Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2025
In a little less than four years, Russia has damaged or destroyed some 3,500 schools in an apparent campaign to demoralize the population and pave the way for its Russification.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 19 Oct. 2025
One reason is that the fan base is demoralized after La Vinotinto was routed 6-3 by Colombia in the final qualifying date last month and failed to earn a World Cup playoff spot.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
Some talked about food prices and the cost of living; others talked about being demoralized by war.
—Eric Lach, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demoralize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demoralize
Verb
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Have joy, have fun, come together and do not be paralyzed by fear.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The recent winter storm paralyzed North Texas for about four days, leaving thousands of workers without income.—
Imelda García,
Dallas Morning News,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The travel watch still discourages unnecessary travel.—
Cheryl Vari,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
26 Jan. 2026
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The region is grappling with a winter storm that is paralyzing activity in the area with freezing precipitation on its roads, discouraging shoppers from heading out to stores.—
Brian Womack,
Dallas Morning News,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Days after the segment was recorded, Schmitz shot Amedure to death, then confessed to the murder, saying he'd been humiliated on national TV.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Jan. 2026
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During the flight, she’s thoroughly humiliated when someone finds her audition tape for Survivor and displays it on his laptop for all to enjoy.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Homemade caramel frosting can be intimidating for novice bakers, but a Caramel Cake is practically a required guest at the church supper.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
1 Feb. 2026
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The nurses interviewed by AP said they felt intimidated by ICE’s presence in the critical care unit and had even been told to avoid a certain bathroom to minimize encounters with officers.—
Jack Brook,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Paczocha and his wife were frustrated by growing unrest stemming from Black Lives Matter protests and six months of COVID-19 restrictions the family believed were overly strict.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Jan. 2026
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Naturally, many were frustrated with the long wait times, and particularly outraged at just how pricey the tickets were selling for this time around (upwards of $1,000 a ticket).—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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These gaps are weak spots that can spread inward, causing the crystal structure to degrade and ultimately reduce the cell’s efficiency.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
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The issue has intensified in recent years and is only set to get worse, as the relentless expansion of urban centres brings artificial light further into the countryside, permeating and degrading our view of the heavens.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Fernando Najera, director of the California Carnivores Program at UC Davis, said that recent experience showed that mountain lions can learn not to be afraid of technology that once worked to frighten them away from people and livestock.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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Her hysteria frightens me and demands to be taken care of.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The finance minister’s comments come after Takaichi sent a fresh warning on Sunday that the government will be ready to take action amid a weakening yen and surging bond yields.—
Mia Glass,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
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Over the past day, the trough that was keeping the storm track far away from us here has weakened, allowing the track to be closer to us.—
Ron Smiley,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Demoralize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demoralize. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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