Demoralizing Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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demoralizing
[dษชหmษหrษlaษชzษชล ]
Definitions
feeling discouraged
Causing someone to lose confidence or hope; disheartening.
Synonyms
demotivating, discouraging, disheartening.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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demoralizing |
Use this word to describe a situation or event that severely affects someone's morale or spirit, often leading to a significant drop in motivation or confidence.
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disheartening |
This word is suitable for scenarios that cause someone to lose heart or become sad about their chances or progress. It often implies a deeper emotional impact than 'discouraging'.
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discouraging |
Use this term for situations that make someone feel less confident or enthusiastic about their efforts, often suggesting a setback or obstacle that diminishes hope or optimism.
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demotivating |
This word fits when describing something that reduces someone's desire or willingness to do something. It typically implies a reduction in energy or enthusiasm.
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Examples of usage
- It was a demoralizing defeat for the team.
- The constant criticism from her boss was demoralizing for Sarah.
- The demoralizing effect of the ongoing pandemic has impacted many people's mental health.
affecting morale negatively
To cause someone to lose confidence or morale; to discourage or dishearten.
Synonyms
discourage, dishearten, unnerve.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
demoralizing |
Used when referring to something that causes a loss of confidence or hope, often in a collective sense (e.g., a team or organization).
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dishearten |
Used when something causes a person to lose spirit or enthusiasm. It often has a more emotional connotation and is usually applied to individuals.
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discourage |
Typically used to describe actions or words that cause someone to lose the motivation to do something. It can be applied on an individual or group level.
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unnerve |
Refers to causing someone to feel nervous or frightened. It has a strong emotional impact and can be either short-term or long-term.
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Examples of usage
- The constant failures in his business demoralized him.
- The lack of support from the management demoralized the employees.
- The demoralizing comments from the critics affected the artist's confidence.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Experiencing demoralization can lead to feelings of helplessness and anxiety, significantly affecting a person's mental health.
- It's often considered a response to failure or prolonged stress, where individuals might feel that their efforts are worthless.
Pop Culture
- In literature and film, characters often face demoralizing challenges that lead to significant character development as they overcome adversity.
- Certain songs and stories resonate with themes of demoralization, showing how characters fight through feelings of defeat to find strength.
Education
- Teachers aim to maintain a positive environment, as demoralization can hinder student performance and engagement.
- Demoralizing feedback can negatively impact studentsโ willingness to participate, highlighting the importance of constructive criticism.
History
- During wartime, soldiers can become demoralized due to prolonged suffering, leading to reduced effectiveness and increased desertion rates.
- Historical leaders often focused on boosting morale to prevent demoralization among troops, understanding its impact on overall success.
Origin of 'demoralizing'
Main points about word origin
- The word has its roots in the Latin 'moralis', meaning 'moral', combined with the prefix 'de-' which means to take away.
- It first appeared in English in the early 19th century, reflecting societal concerns about maintaining morale, especially during challenging times.
The word 'demoralizing' originated from the combination of 'de-' meaning 'down' and 'moralize' meaning 'to improve someone's behavior or character'. Therefore, 'demoralizing' refers to the action of reducing someone's morale or confidence. The term has been in use since the late 18th century.
See also: demoralization.
Word Frequency Rank
Positioned at #22,547, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.
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- 22544 straddle
- 22545 unpalatable
- 22546 undisciplined
- 22547 demoralizing
- 22548 cabled
- 22549 innovator
- 22550 sauntered
- ...