PsychologySeptember 7, 2026

demoralize

di-MOR-uh-lahyz

Definition

To cause someone to lose confidence, hope, or spirit; to systematically weaken the morale of a person or group.

Etymology

Derived from the French word 'démoraliser', it combines the prefix 'de-' (meaning reversal or removal) with 'moral', referring to the state of one's mental or emotional spirits.

In the news

Dr. Hassan describes an environment of psychological warfare intended to demoralize the public, effectively making it harder for people to trust experts and maintain a cohesive society.

Psychologist reveals why MAGA is 'trapped in their universe'

Read the full article ↗

AlterNet

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