The act of reducing someone's courage, confidence, or morale; the state of losing hope or confidence, especially among groups of people.
From demoralise (British spelling) + -ation (noun suffix). De- (down/away) + morale (spirits/courage) + -ize/-ise (verb suffix) + -ation (noun suffix). The term emerged in military and political contexts.
Demoralisation is what happens when hope dies—soldiers lose the will to fight, workers stop caring, and whole nations give up. It's so powerful that generals spend as much time protecting morale as they do ammunition!
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