demoralise

/di'mɔrəlaiz/ Cách viết khác : (demoralise) /di'mɔrəlaiz/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
Definition
  1. Verb (transitive):
    • To undermine the confidence, morale, or spirit of a person or group: To make someone feel disheartened, discouraged, or less hopeful.
    • To corrupt the morals of someone: To lead someone away from proper conduct or principles; to debase morally.
Usage

The verb "demoralise" describes the action of causing a loss of confidence or hope. It can also refer to the act of corrupting someone's moral character. It is typically used with a direct object (e.g., demoralise someone).

Examples
  • Undermining morale/spirit:
    • The team's constant losses began to demoralise the players.
    • Harsh criticism from his boss demoralised him completely.
  • Corrupting morals:
    • The novel was accused of seeking to demoralise its young readers.
    • They feared that exposure to such vice would demoralise the new recruits.
Advanced Usage
  • "to demoralise an opponent": In competitive contexts like sports or debate, this means to weaken the opponent's confidence or fighting spirit.
    • The boxer's powerful first punch was intended to demoralise his opponent early in the match.
  • Passive voice construction: Often used to describe the state of being discouraged.
    • The workforce felt utterly demoralised by the sudden layoffs.
Variants and Related Words
  • Demoralised (adjective): Describing a state of low spirits or lost confidence.
    • The demoralised troops retreated from the battlefield.
  • Demoralising (adjective): Describing something that causes a loss of morale.
    • It was a demoralising experience for everyone involved.
  • Demoralisation (noun): The process or result of being demoralised.
    • The demoralisation of the staff was evident in their low productivity.
Synonyms
  • Discourage: To cause someone to lose confidence or enthusiasm.
  • Dispirit: To make someone lose enthusiasm or hope.
  • Dishearten: To cause someone to lose determination or confidence.
  • Corrupt: To cause to act dishonestly or immorally.
  • Debase: To reduce in quality, value, or moral character.
Antonyms
  • Encourage: To give support, confidence, or hope.
  • Inspire: To fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something.
  • Morale-boosting: Serving to increase confidence and determination.
  • Uplift: To raise someone's spirits or morally improve.
Phrasal Verbs

Note: "Demoralise" itself does not commonly form phrasal verbs. The action is typically expressed by the verb alone or with prepositions like "by" or "with". - Demoralise by/with something: To cause demoralisation through a specific means. - The employees were demoralised by the lack of communication from management.

Related Idioms

Note: There are no common idioms that use the exact word "demoralise." The concept is often expressed by phrases like "break someone's spirit" or "sap someone's morale."

Verb
  1. lower someone's spirits; make downhearted
    • These news depressed her
    • The bad state of her child's health demoralizes her
  2. corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality
    • debauch the young people with wine and women
    • Socrates was accused of corrupting young men
    • Do school counselors subvert young children?
    • corrupt the morals

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