demoralize

de·mor·al·ize

verb \di-ˈmȯr-ə-ˌlīz, ˌdē-, -ˈmär-\

Definition of DEMORALIZE

transitive verb

1

: to corrupt the morals of

2

a : to weaken the morale of : discourage, dispirit b : to upset or destroy the normal functioning of c : to throw into disorder

— de·mor·al·i·za·tion \di-ˌmȯr-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən, ˌdē-, -ˌmär-\ noun

— de·mor·al·iz·er \di-ˈmȯr-ə-ˌlī-zər, ˌdē-, -ˈmär-\ noun

— de·mor·al·iz·ing·ly \-ziŋ-lē\ adverb

Examples of DEMORALIZE

1. <the mere sight of the forbidding cliffs demoralized the climbers>
2. <we refused to be demoralized by our humiliating defeat and vowed to come roaring back the following week>

First Known Use of DEMORALIZE

circa 1793

Related to DEMORALIZE

Synonyms: unnerve, emasculate, paralyze, undo, unman, unstring

Antonyms: nerve

Related Words: debilitate, enervate, enfeeble, neuter, weaken; prostrate, sap, soften, tire, waste; frighten, intimidate, psych (out), scare, terrify, terrorize; daunt, discourage, dishearten, dismay, dispirit; craze, derange, madden, unbalance, unhinge; discompose, disquiet, disturb, faze, perturb, unsettle, upset, weird out

Near Antonyms: fortify, strengthen; embolden, encourage, hearten

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with DEMORALIZE

accessorize, acclimatize, actualize, aerobicize, aestheticize, Africanize, allegorize, alphabetize, analogize, anatomize, anesthetize, animalize, annualize, antagonize, anthologize, anticlockwise, apologize, apostatize, apostrophize, arabicize, aromatize, automatize, bureaucratize, cannibalize, capitalize, categorize, catheterize, catholicize, characterize, collectivize, commercialize, commoditize, communalize, computerize, conservatize, containerize, contrariwise, conveyorize, cosmeticize, counterclockwise, criminalize, cross-fertilize, cut down to size, decentralize, decolonize, de-emphasize, de-energize, defeminize, deformalize, deglamorize, dehumanize, deionize, demagnetize, demobilize, democratize, denationalize, deodorize, depersonalize, depolarize, depressurize, desensitize, destabilize, destigmatize, detribalize, devitalize, diabolize, digitalize, disenfranchise, disorganize, economize, emblematize, emotionalize, epitomize, epoxidize, eroticize, eternalize, evangelize, extemporize, externalize, familiarize, fanaticize, fictionalize, floor exercise, fool's paradise, formularize, free enterprise, gelatinize, generalize, geologize, Hispanicize, historicize, homogenize, hospitalize, hypothesize, idealize, illegalize, immobilize, immortalize, impersonalize, Indianize, indigenize, infantilize, initialize, internalize, italicize, legitimize, liberalize, literalize, lobotomize, lysogenize, macadamize, marginalize, metabolize, metastasize, militarize, mineralize, monopolize, mythologize, nationalize, naturalize, parenthesize, philosophize, poeticize, politicize, popularize, prioritize, proselytize, radicalize, reorganize, revitalize, ritualize, romanticize, secularize, self-fertilize, sensualize, sexualize, sovietize, subjectivize, suburbanize, subvocalize, systematize, temporalize, theologize, traditionalize, trivialize, ventriloquize, visualize