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A2 verb 12 Min. Lesezeit

desmoralizar

Beispiele desmoralizar in 30 Sekunden
Erklärung desmoralizar in your Level:
At the A1 level, you can think of 'desmoralizar' as a stronger way to say 'to make someone sad' or 'to take away someone's energy to do something.' Even though it is a long word, its meaning is simple: it is the opposite of 'happy' or 'excited.' Imagine you are playing a game with a friend. If you win many times and your friend stops wanting to play because they feel they can never win, you have 'desmoralizado' your friend. In A1 Portuguese, we usually focus on simpler words like 'triste' (sad) or 'desanimado' (discouraged), but 'desmoralizar' is useful when you want to describe a situation where someone feels they have no hope left. It is a regular verb, so it conjugates just like 'falar' or 'estudar.' For example, 'Eu desmoralizo' (I demoralize) or 'Ele desmoraliza' (He demoralizes). You might hear it in simple sports contexts or when someone is talking about a very difficult day at work. Just remember: it is about losing the 'will' to continue.
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At the A2 level, you should start using 'desmoralizar' to describe emotional states in more detail. It is specifically used when a person loses their confidence. If you are learning Portuguese and you make many mistakes, you might feel 'desmoralizado.' This is more than just being 'desanimado' (discouraged); it feels like you are losing your strength to keep trying. At this level, you will see the word used with direct objects. For example: 'As notas baixas desmoralizaram o aluno' (The low grades demoralized the student). Notice how the 'notas baixas' are the subject that causes the feeling. You can also use it in the past tense to talk about things that happened: 'O comentário dele me desmoralizou' (His comment demoralized me). It is a great word to use when 'desanimar' feels too weak for the situation. It shows you understand that some events can really hurt a person's spirit or confidence.
At the B1 level, you will encounter 'desmoralizar' in more social and professional contexts. It is no longer just about feeling sad; it is about the loss of authority or reputation. For instance, in a workplace, if a boss criticizes an employee in front of everyone, we say the boss is 'desmoralizando' the employee. This implies that the employee's standing in the group is being damaged. You will also start to see the reflexive form 'desmoralizar-se.' This means to lose heart or to let oneself become discouraged. 'Não se desmoralize com os problemas' (Don't let yourself be demoralized by the problems). At this level, you should also recognize the adjective 'desmoralizante.' A 'trabalho desmoralizante' is a job that makes you feel like your effort doesn't matter. You are now moving beyond simple emotions into the realm of social dynamics and professional spirit.
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At the B2 level, 'desmoralizar' takes on a more abstract and institutional meaning. You will hear it in the news regarding politics, law, and social values. When a politician does something wrong and is not punished, people might say this 'desmoraliza a política' (demoralizes politics). Here, it means that the respect and ethical foundation of politics are being destroyed. It is about the erosion of institutional credibility. You should be able to use the word to describe how arguments or theories can be 'desmoralizados' by new facts. If someone has a strong theory but you show a major flaw, you have 'desmoralizado' their argument—you have taken away its power and respect. Your vocabulary should now include the noun 'desmoralização' to describe the process of losing morale or ethical standards on a large scale, such as 'a desmoralização da polícia' or 'a desmoralização dos valores tradicionais.'
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At the C1 level, you should master the nuances between 'desmoralizar' and its high-level synonyms like 'aviltar,' 'depreciar,' or 'desacreditar.' You understand that 'desmoralizar' can refer to a deliberate strategy of psychological warfare or a complex sociological shift. In literature, you might find it used to describe the corruption of a character's soul or the decay of a society's ethics. You can use it to discuss 'assédio moral' (workplace harassment) with precision, explaining how specific actions are designed to 'desmoralizar o indivíduo' to force them out of a position. You also recognize its use in historical contexts, such as how certain events 'desmoralizaram o antigo regime.' Your use of the word is now precise, reflecting an understanding of power structures, social prestige, and the psychological depth of human resilience and its breaking points.
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At the C2 level, you use 'desmoralizar' with the ease of a native speaker, capturing all its metaphorical and historical weight. You can engage in philosophical debates about whether a society can truly be 'desmoralizada' or if 'moral' is simply a fluid construct. You understand how the word is used in legal rhetoric to argue that certain judicial decisions might 'desmoralizar a lei' by creating dangerous precedents. You are comfortable using the word in highly formal speeches, academic papers, and complex creative writing. You can play with the word's dual meaning of 'morale' (spirit) and 'morals' (ethics), using it to create double meanings or to critique cultural shifts. For a C2 learner, 'desmoralizar' is a tool for deep social critique, used to describe the nuanced ways in which trust, authority, and human spirit are built up and systematically torn down in complex modern systems.
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Beispiele

desmoralizar in 30 Sekunden

  • Desmoralizar means to strip away someone's confidence, spirit, or social standing, making them feel defeated or hopeless.
  • It is a regular -ar verb used in sports, politics, and work to describe psychological or institutional erosion.
  • Commonly used to describe the loss of reputation or the corruption of ethical values in formal contexts.
  • Often confused with 'desanimar', which is a milder form of discouragement used for daily minor setbacks.

The Portuguese verb desmoralizar is a multifaceted term that goes far beyond the simple English translation of 'to demoralize.' At its core, it refers to the act of stripping away someone's 'moral'—not necessarily in the sense of ethics or right and wrong, though that is one layer, but more commonly in the sense of 'morale' or spirit. When you desmoralizar someone, you are effectively dismantling their confidence, their hope, or their standing in a social hierarchy. It is a word frequently heard in competitive environments, such as sports locker rooms, political debates, and corporate boardrooms, where the goal is often to weaken the psychological resolve of an opponent. However, it also carries a deeper, more traditional meaning related to the corruption of character or the undermining of social values.

Psychological Impact
In a psychological context, to desmoralizar someone is to cause a profound sense of discouragement. It is the process of making someone feel that their efforts are futile or that their abilities are insufficient. For example, a teacher who constantly belittles a student's progress is effectively desmoralizando that student, leading to a loss of interest in the subject matter.

As críticas constantes do chefe acabaram por desmoralizar toda a equipe de vendas antes da meta final.

In contemporary Brazilian and Portuguese society, the word is also used to describe the loss of prestige or authority. When a public figure is caught in a scandal, the public does not just lose trust; the figure is 'desmoralizado.' This means their reputation is so damaged that they no longer command respect or influence. It is a social 'unmaking.' You might hear people say that a law has been 'desmoralizada' if it is widely ignored by the population without consequence, implying that the law has lost its 'moral' force or its perceived legitimacy.

Social Context
In social settings, desmoralizar can refer to the act of embarrassing someone in public, thereby lowering their status in the eyes of others. It is often synonymous with 'desacreditar' (to discredit) in these instances.

Ele tentou me desmoralizar na frente de todos os meus amigos, mas eu não deixei.

Historically, the word had a stronger connotation of 'corrupting' or 'depraving.' While this usage is less common in everyday street Portuguese today, you will still find it in literature or formal academic texts. If a book is described as 'desmoralizante,' it might mean it promotes values that are considered harmful to the collective ethics of a society. Understanding this spectrum—from losing a game to losing one's soul—is key to mastering the word.

Military and Sports
In these fields, the word describes the tactical objective of breaking the opponent's will to fight. A large score gap early in a football match is intended to desmoralizar the other team so they stop playing with intensity.

O primeiro gol sofrido logo aos dois minutos serviu para desmoralizar a defesa adversária.

A corrupção sistêmica acaba por desmoralizar as instituições democráticas do país.

Não podemos deixar que um pequeno erro venha a nos desmoralizar agora.

Using desmoralizar correctly requires an understanding of its transitive nature. In most cases, it takes a direct object—you demoralize *someone* or *something*. Structurally, it follows the pattern: [Subject] + [Verb] + [Object]. For example, 'O resultado desmoralizou o atleta.' Here, the result is the agent that causes the loss of morale in the athlete. It is a regular '-ar' verb, making its conjugation predictable across all tenses, which is a relief for learners at the A2 and B1 levels.

Direct Object Usage
When targeting a person or a group, the word acts as a catalyst for emotional change. It often appears with words like 'equipe' (team), 'povo' (people), or 'adversário' (opponent).

A propaganda inimiga tentava desmoralizar os soldados na frente de batalha.

Another common way to use this verb is in its passive form or as an adjective. 'Estar desmoralizado' (to be demoralized) is a very frequent state of being in Portuguese. If you fail an exam after studying for weeks, you might say, 'Estou totalmente desmoralizado.' This conveys a deeper level of defeat than simply being 'triste' (sad) or 'chateado' (upset). It implies that your 'moral'—your internal drive—has been crushed. Using the adjective 'desmoralizante' is also useful for describing situations. A 'situação desmoralizante' is one that makes everyone involved feel hopeless or ashamed.

Abstract Concepts
You can also desmoralizar abstract things like arguments, theories, or institutions. If you provide proof that a theory is wrong, you 'desmoraliza a teoria'—you take away its authority.

Novas evidências científicas podem desmoralizar essa antiga crença popular.

In the imperative mood, you might hear 'Não se desmoralize!' (Don't get discouraged/don't let yourself be demoralized!). This is a common phrase of encouragement. It is important to note that the verb 'desmoralizar' is often followed by the preposition 'com' when explaining the cause of the demoralization in a reflexive or passive sense: 'Ele se desmoralizou com a derrota' (He became demoralized with the defeat). However, in the active voice, no preposition is needed between the verb and the person being demoralized.

Tense Variations
In the future tense, 'Irá desmoralizar' or 'Vai desmoralizar' is used to predict the psychological impact of a coming event. In the past, 'desmoralizou' indicates a completed action of discouragement.

Se perdermos este contrato, isso vai desmoralizar o departamento inteiro.

O escândalo financeiro serviu para desmoralizar a imagem da empresa no exterior.

Eles tentaram nos desmoralizar, mas nossa união foi mais forte.

The word desmoralizar is ubiquitous in Portuguese-speaking media, particularly in news coverage of politics and sports. If you open a Brazilian newspaper like *Folha de S.Paulo* or a Portuguese one like *Público*, you will likely see this word in headlines regarding corruption or legislative failures. Journalists use it to describe how certain actions 'desmoralizam' the government or the judicial system. It suggests a loss of public faith that is hard to recover. In this context, it is a very 'heavy' word, implying that the very foundation of an institution's respectability is being eaten away.

Sports Commentary
Listen to a football match on the radio. When a team is losing 4-0, the commentator will almost certainly say the team is 'completamente desmoralizada.' They have lost their tactical discipline because their spirit is broken.

A goleada sofrida em casa serviu para desmoralizar os jogadores diante da torcida.

In the workplace, you might hear this word during 'cafézinhos' (coffee breaks). Employees might complain that a new, nonsensical policy is 'desmoralizante' because it makes their hard work feel irrelevant. It is a word used to express professional frustration. If a manager corrects an employee harshly in front of others, colleagues might later whisper that the manager tried to 'desmoralizar o colega.' In this sense, it is closely tied to the concept of 'assédio moral' (workplace bullying/harassment), though 'desmoralizar' is the specific action of breaking that person's spirit.

Political Debates
Politicians use the word to accuse their opponents of attacking the dignity of the office. 'Vossa Excelência está tentando desmoralizar este parlamento!' is a classic dramatic line in a legislative session.

O candidato usou mentiras para desmoralizar seu oponente durante o debate ao vivo.

Finally, in more intimate settings, parents might use the word when talking about discipline. A parent might say that a child’s constant lying 'desmoraliza' the household rules. It means the rules no longer have any weight or meaning because they are being constantly undermined. It is a word that carries the weight of social and personal expectations, making it a very effective tool for expressing deep disappointment or strategic psychological warfare.

Academic Circles
In sociology or philosophy classes, 'desmoralização' is discussed as a societal phenomenon where traditional values are lost, leading to a state of 'anomia' or lawlessness.

A falta de punição para crimes graves ajuda a desmoralizar o sistema judiciário.

O fracasso do projeto não deve nos desmoralizar, mas sim nos ensinar.

Ele sentiu que o comentário sarcástico foi feito apenas para o desmoralizar.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with desmoralizar is assuming it is exactly the same as 'demoralize' in every context. While they are cognates, the Portuguese word often carries a stronger social sting. A common error is using 'desmoralizar' when you simply mean 'to make someone a bit sad.' If your friend is sad because it's raining, you wouldn't say the rain 'desmoralizou' them; that's too dramatic. You would use 'desanimar' instead. 'Desmoralizar' implies a blow to one's dignity or a significant loss of courage.

Confusing with 'Desanimar'
Learners often use 'desmoralizar' for minor setbacks. Use 'desanimar' for 'to discourage' in low-stakes situations. Save 'desmoralizar' for when the spirit is truly broken or authority is undermined.

Errado: A chuva me desmoralizou e não fui à praia. (Too strong)
Correto: A chuva me desanimou e não fui à praia.

Another mistake involves the pronunciation of the 'z' sound. In Portuguese, the 'z' in 'desmoralizar' is voiced, like the 'z' in 'zebra.' Some learners might try to pronounce it with a soft 's' sound, which can make the word hard to understand. Additionally, pay attention to the prefix 'des-'. In Portuguese, this is pronounced like 'dez' or 'deez' depending on the regional accent, but it should never sound like the English 'dis-'. Getting the vowel sounds right in 'des-mo-ra-li-zar' is crucial for sounding natural.

False Friend Trap
In some academic English contexts, 'demoralize' can mean to 'de-moralize' (to remove from the sphere of ethics). In Portuguese, 'desmoralizar' almost always implies a negative corruption or loss of spirit, never a neutral removal of ethical consideration.

O objetivo do debate não era desmoralizar a pessoa, mas sim criticar a ideia.

Lastly, learners sometimes confuse 'desmoralizar' with 'humilhar' (to humiliate). While they are related, 'humilhar' is about making someone feel inferior or ashamed, often through a specific act of cruelty. 'Desmoralizar' is broader; it's about the erosion of their internal strength or their public standing. You can desmoralizar a team by playing better than them without ever 'humilhar' them. Understanding this nuance will help you choose the right word for the right level of social intensity.

Preposition Errors
Avoid using 'desmoralizar para'. Usually, it is 'desmoralizar alguém' (direct) or 'desmoralizado por/com' (passive/reflexive cause).

Ele ficou desmoralizado com as vaias do público durante o discurso.

Não tente desmoralizar o trabalho alheio só porque você não concorda com ele.

Muitos alunos se sentem desmoralizados quando as provas são excessivamente difíceis.

Portuguese is a rich language with many synonyms that can replace desmoralizar depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. The most common alternative is desanimar. This is the 'light' version of the word, perfect for everyday discouragement. If you lose your keys and feel a bit down, you are 'desanimado.' Another strong alternative is abater, which literally means 'to knock down' or 'to slaughter.' When used figuratively, it implies a very heavy, almost physical sense of being crushed by bad news or circumstances.

Desanimar vs. Desmoralizar
Desanimar is about losing 'ânimo' (energy/will). Desmoralizar is about losing 'moral' (spirit/standing). You desanimar when you're tired; you desmoralizar when you've lost hope or respect.

A notícia da derrota conseguiu abater até o mais otimista dos torcedores.

In political or formal contexts, desacreditar is a very close synonym. It means 'to discredit.' While 'desmoralizar' focuses on the internal state or the loss of moral authority, 'desacreditar' focuses specifically on making others stop believing in someone or something. Another academic term is aviltar, which means to degrade or debase. This is used when something is made 'vile' or loses its high value. If you want to talk about the corruption of someone's character specifically, depravar or corromper are the most accurate choices.

Desencorajar
This is the direct equivalent of 'to discourage.' It is more formal than 'desanimar' but less intense than 'desmoralizar.' It focuses on the removal of 'coragem' (courage).

O governo tentou desacreditar as denúncias feitas pela imprensa internacional.

For the opposite effect, you have estimular, encorajar, and animar. If you are looking to describe the rebuilding of morale, the word is remoralizar, though it is much rarer than its negative counterpart. In summary, choose 'desanimar' for light daily discouragement, 'abater' for emotional crushing, 'desacreditar' for attacking reputation, and 'desmoralizar' for the total dismantling of spirit, authority, or ethical standing. Mastering these distinctions will make your Portuguese sound much more sophisticated and precise.

Prostrar
Literally 'to prostrate.' Figuratively, it means to leave someone so demoralized they cannot even act or move forward.

Não deixe que os obstáculos venham a desencorajar seus sonhos mais profundos.

O comportamento do juiz pode aviltar a dignidade do tribunal perante a sociedade.

A vitória inesperada serviu para animar o grupo que estava prestes a desistir.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

1

O jogo difícil pode desmoralizar o menino.

The difficult game can demoralize the boy.

Direct object 'o menino' follows the verb.

2

Não vamos desmoralizar nossos amigos.

Let's not demoralize our friends.

Imperative-like suggestion using 'Vamos' + infinitive.

3

A chuva desmoraliza o time de futebol.

The rain demoralizes the football team.

Simple present tense.

4

Ela se sente desmoralizada hoje.

She feels demoralized today.

Adjective form 'desmoralizada' matching the feminine subject.

5

Um erro não deve desmoralizar você.

One mistake should not demoralize you.

Modal verb 'deve' followed by infinitive.

6

Eles desmoralizam o oponente no jogo.

They demoralize the opponent in the game.

Third person plural present tense.

7

O professor não quer desmoralizar o aluno.

The teacher does not want to demoralize the student.

Negative construction with 'não'.

8

Estou desmoralizado com este dever de casa.

I am demoralized with this homework.

Passive state with 'estar' + past participle.

1

As críticas do pai desmoralizaram o jovem músico.

The father's criticism demoralized the young musician.

Preterite tense indicating a specific past event.

2

É fácil desmoralizar alguém que já está triste.

It is easy to demoralize someone who is already sad.

Infinitive used as a subject complement.

3

O resultado final desmoralizou toda a torcida.

The final result demoralized all the fans.

Direct object 'toda a torcida'.

4

Não se desmoralize por causa de uma nota baixa.

Don't get demoralized because of a low grade.

Reflexive imperative 'Não se desmoralize'.

5

O cansaço pode desmoralizar os trabalhadores.

Fatigue can demoralize the workers.

Subject 'O cansaço' (fatigue).

6

A derrota ontem desmoralizou o capitão do time.

Yesterday's defeat demoralized the team captain.

Adverb 'ontem' places the action in the past.

7

Ela tentou não desmoralizar seu irmão menor.

She tried not to demoralize her younger brother.

Negative infinitive 'não desmoralizar'.

8

Sinto que a situação vai me desmoralizar.

I feel that the situation is going to demoralize me.

Future construction 'vai' + infinitive.

1

O gerente costuma desmoralizar os funcionários em público.

The manager usually demoralizes the employees in public.

Usage of 'costuma' to indicate habitual action.

2

Essa política desmoralizante reduziu a produtividade.

This demoralizing policy reduced productivity.

Adjective 'desmoralizante' modifying 'política'.

3

O grupo se desmoralizou após a saída do líder.

The group became demoralized after the leader's departure.

Reflexive 'se desmoralizou' indicating a change in state.

4

Não podemos permitir que o fracasso nos desmoralize.

We cannot allow failure to demoralize us.

Subjunctive mood 'desmoralize' after 'permitir que'.

5

O escândalo serviu para desmoralizar a diretoria da empresa.

The scandal served to demoralize the company's board of directors.

Usage of 'serviu para' to indicate purpose or result.

6

Ele foi desmoralizado pelas mentiras de seu rival.

He was demoralized by his rival's lies.

Passive voice 'foi desmoralizado por'.

7

A falta de apoio desmoraliza qualquer projeto social.

The lack of support demoralizes any social project.

Abstract subject 'A falta de apoio'.

8

Sempre que ele fala, ele tenta me desmoralizar.

Whenever he speaks, he tries to demoralize me.

Temporal clause 'Sempre que'.

1

A impunidade acaba por desmoralizar as leis do país.

Impunity ends up demoralizing the country's laws.

Idiomatic 'acaba por' meaning 'ends up'.

2

O exército inimigo foi desmoralizado por uma tática brilhante.

The enemy army was demoralized by a brilliant tactic.

Passive voice in the preterite.

3

Tal comportamento desmoraliza a imagem da instituição.

Such behavior demoralizes the image of the institution.

Focus on institutional reputation.

4

Eles agiram com o intuito de desmoralizar o governo.

They acted with the intention of demoralizing the government.

Phrase 'com o intuito de' + infinitive.

5

A desmoralização da polícia é um problema grave de segurança.

The demoralization of the police is a serious security problem.

Noun form 'desmoralização'.

6

A evidência apresentada desmoralizou completamente o álibi do réu.

The evidence presented completely demoralized the defendant's alibi.

Use of 'desmoralizar' to mean 'to discredit' an argument.

7

Se o plano falhar, isso desmoralizará nossos investidores.

If the plan fails, it will demoralize our investors.

Future tense 'desmoralizará' in a conditional 'se' clause.

8

É preciso evitar que a corrupção desmoralize o serviço público.

It is necessary to prevent corruption from demoralizing the public service.

Impersonal 'É preciso' followed by subjunctive 'desmoralize'.

1

A campanha difamatória visava desmoralizar o candidato perante o eleitorado.

The smear campaign aimed to demoralize the candidate before the electorate.

Verb 'visava' indicating aim or purpose.

2

A anomia social decorre, em parte, da desmoralização das autoridades.

Social anomie stems, in part, from the demoralization of authorities.

Sociological terminology usage.

3

Ele sentiu seu caráter ser desmoralizado por calúnias infundadas.

He felt his character being demoralized by unfounded slanders.

Passive infinitive 'ser desmoralizado'.

4

A literatura daquela época buscava desmoralizar os valores burgueses.

The literature of that time sought to demoralize bourgeois values.

Usage in the context of cultural critique.

5

O cinismo dos governantes contribui para desmoralizar a democracia.

The cynicism of rulers contributes to demoralizing democracy.

Subject 'O cinismo' (cynicism).

6

Não se pode desmoralizar um argumento apenas com ataques pessoais.

One cannot demoralize an argument only with personal attacks.

Impersonal 'se' construction.

7

A sucessão de crises acabou por desmoralizar o otimismo da nação.

The succession of crises ended up demoralizing the nation's optimism.

Complex subject 'A sucessão de crises'.

8

O autor utiliza a ironia para desmoralizar o discurso oficial.

The author uses irony to demoralize the official discourse.

Purpose clause with 'para'.

1

A erosão ética nas instituições tende a desmoralizar o contrato social.

Ethical erosion in institutions tends to demoralize the social contract.

Philosophical context.

2

O niilismo contemporâneo pode desmoralizar a busca por sentido na vida.

Contemporary nihilism can demoralize the search for meaning in life.

Abstract philosophical subject.

3

A estratégia de desmoralização do inimigo precedeu a invasão física.

The strategy of demoralizing the enemy preceded the physical invasion.

Noun 'desmoralização' in military history context.

4

O escárnio público serve como ferramenta para desmoralizar dissidências.

Public mockery serves as a tool to demoralize dissent.

Sociopolitical analysis.

5

A obra de Nietzsche propõe desmoralizar a moralidade cristã ocidental.

Nietzsche's work proposes to demoralize Western Christian morality.

Specific philosophical reference.

6

Sob o jugo da tirania, o povo viu suas esperanças se desmoralizarem.

Under the yoke of tyranny, the people saw their hopes become demoralized.

Literary construction with 'viu' + reflexive infinitive.

7

O relativismo extremo corre o risco de desmoralizar a própria verdade.

Extreme relativism runs the risk of demoralizing truth itself.

Epistemological context.

8

A desmoralização absoluta do indivíduo é o objetivo final do totalitarismo.

The absolute demoralization of the individual is the ultimate goal of totalitarianism.

Political theory usage.

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