demoralize

[ dih-mawr-uh-lahyz, -mor- ]
/ dɪˈmɔr əˌlaɪz, -ˈmɒr- /

verb (used with object), de·mor·al·ized, de·mor·al·iz·ing.

to deprive (a person or persons) of spirit, courage, discipline, etc.; destroy the morale of: The continuous barrage demoralized the infantry.
to throw (a person) into disorder or confusion; bewilder: We were so demoralized by that one wrong turn that we were lost for hours.
to corrupt or undermine the morals of.
Also especially British, de·mor·al·ise.

Origin of demoralize

From the French word démoraliser, dating back to 1785–95. See de-, moral, -ize

OTHER WORDS FROM demoralize

de·mor·al·i·za·tion, noun de·mor·al·iz·er, noun de·mor·al·iz·ing·ly, adverb

Example sentences from the Web for demoralization

British Dictionary definitions for demoralization

demoralize

demoralise

/ (dɪˈmɒrəˌlaɪz) /

verb (tr)

to undermine the morale of; dishearten he was demoralized by his defeat
to debase morally; corrupt
to throw into confusion

Derived forms of demoralize

demoralization or demoralisation, noun demoralizer or demoraliser, noun