From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Demoralize \De*mor"al*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Demoralized};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Demoralizing}.] [F. d['e]moraliser; pref.
d['e]- (L. dis- or de) + moraliser. See {Moralize}.]
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.
[1913 Webster]
The demoralizing example of profligate power and
prosperous crime. --Walsh.
[1913 Webster]
The vices of the nobility had demoralized the army.
--Bancroft.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
demoralize
v 1: 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" [syn:
{corrupt}, {pervert}, {subvert}, {demoralize},
{demoralise}, {debauch}, {debase}, {profane}, {vitiate},
{deprave}, {misdirect}]
2: lower someone's spirits; make downhearted; "These news
depressed her"; "The bad state of her child's health
demoralizes her" [syn: {depress}, {deject}, {cast down}, {get
down}, {dismay}, {dispirit}, {demoralize}, {demoralise}]
[ant: {elate}, {intoxicate}, {lift up}, {pick up}, {uplift}]
3: confuse or put into disorder; "the boss's behavior
demoralized everyone in the office"
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