demoralize Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality
    pervert; debase; profane; misdirect; subvert; debauch; deprave; vitiate; corrupt; demoralise.
    • debauch the young people with wine and women
    • Socrates was accused of corrupting young men
    • Do school counselors subvert young children?
    • corrupt the morals
  2. verb lower someone's spirits; make downhearted
    depress; dispirit; dismay; deject; demoralise; get down; cast down.
    • These news depressed her
    • The bad state of her child's health demoralizes her
  3. verb confuse or put into disorder
    • the boss's behavior demoralized everyone in the office

WordNet

De*mor"al*ize transitive verb
Etymology
F. démoraliser; pref. dé- (L. dis- or de) + moraliser. See Moralize.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Demoralized ; present participle & verbal noun Demoralizing
Definitions
  1. To corrupt or undermine in morals; to destroy or lessen the effect of moral principles on; to render corrupt or untrustworthy in morals, in discipline, in courage, spirit, etc.; to weaken in spirit or efficiency.
    The demoralizing example of profligate power and prosperous crime. Walsh.
    The vices of the nobility had demoralized the army. Bancroft.

Webster 1913