demoralization
Loss of hope
Demoralization is the loss of confidence, hope, or will to continue.
An army suffers demoralization after repeated defeats; a workforce experiences it under poor leadership.
The team's demoralization was evident after their fifth straight loss.
The word can also mean corruption of morals, though this sense is now rare.
To demoralize is to cause this state.
State without hope
- despairTotal absence of hope
- despondencyProfound loss of hope
- dejectionState of lowness
- dismayDistressed loss of courage
pessimism · disillusionment · disheartening · deflation · gloom · melancholy · resignation · demotivation
Overwhelming one-sided victory
- crushingOverwhelming in intensity
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- capitulationComplete yielding to demands
- collapseSudden structural failure
subjugation · vanquished · beaten · overpowered · subdued · crushed · shellacking · drubbing
Weaken by stealth
- sapPlant circulatory fluid
- erodeDiminish through persistent friction
- debilitateTo make weak
- destabilizeMake unsteady or insecure
subvert · weaken · corrode · degrade · deteriorate · crumble · decay · attrition
hopelessness
State without hope
- despairTotal absence of hope
- despondencyProfound loss of hope
- dejectionState of lowness
dismay · pessimism · disillusionment · disheartening · deflation · gloom · melancholy · resignation · demotivation · defeatism
rout
Overwhelming one-sided victory
- crushingOverwhelming in intensity
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- capitulationComplete yielding to demands
collapse · subjugation · vanquished · beaten · overpowered · subdued · crushed · shellacking · drubbing · thrashing
undermine
Weaken by stealth
- sapPlant circulatory fluid
- erodeDiminish through persistent friction
- debilitateTo make weak
destabilize · subvert · weaken · corrode · degrade · deteriorate · crumble · decay · attrition · disintegrate
- discouragementdiscouragement, dejection, defeatism, disappointment, letdown
- societal decaydecline, decay, degradation, degeneration, deterioration
- defeatismdefeatism, giving up, hopelessness, resignation, capitulation
- despairdespair, hopelessness, desolation, despondency, dejection
- insecuritiesinsecurity, self-doubt, low self-esteem, inadequacy, inferiority
- obstaclesbarriers, block, obstacles, barrier, blockers
demoralizationencouragement
Support spurring continued effort
inspiration · uplift · heartening · invigoration · emboldening
demoralizationmotivation
Impetus toward a goal
resolve · determination · galvanization · empowerment · inspiration
demoralizationmorality
Right and wrong principles
virtue · righteousness · goodness · edification · moral integrity