# demoralizing

/dɪˈmɔɹəˌɫaɪzɪŋ/ (US) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/demoralizing
Updated: 2026-10-19

## Definition

making you lose hope, confidence, or energy, so you feel like giving up.

For teachers: causing a loss of confidence, hope, or morale in a person or group. Often describes setbacks, criticism, or conditions that weaken motivation to continue.

## Examples

- Losing every game is demoralizing for the team.
- It is demoralizing to work hard for months and receive no feedback from your manager.
- Repeated rejections can be deeply demoralizing, slowly eroding even the most determined applicant's belief that effort will eventually be rewarded.

## Usage notes

- Often used predicatively after linking verbs ('is demoralizing') and attributively before nouns ('a demoralizing loss').

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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.