# demoralized

/dɪˈmɔɹəˌɫaɪzd/ (US) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/demoralized
Updated: 2026-10-18

## Definition

feeling low in confidence and energy after failure, criticism, or hard times. You want to give up because nothing seems to work.

For teachers: having lost confidence, motivation, or morale after failure, criticism, or hardship. Often follows linking verbs such as 'feel', 'seem', or 'be'.

## Examples

- She feels demoralized after losing three games in a row.
- After weeks of overtime with no thanks from his manager, he feels completely demoralized at work.
- The team emerged from the failed launch demoralized, not because the idea was weak but because months of effort had gone unnoticed.

## Synonyms

discouraged, disheartened, dejected, hopeless, dispirited, downhearted

## Antonyms

encouraged, motivated, hopeful, confident

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.