Synonym Chooser

How does the verb emasculate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of emasculate are enervate, unman, and unnerve. While all these words mean "to deprive of strength or vigor and the capacity for effective action," emasculate stresses a depriving of characteristic force by removing something essential.

an amendment that emasculates existing safeguards

When is it sensible to use enervate instead of emasculate?

While the synonyms enervate and emasculate are close in meaning, enervate suggests a gradual physical or moral weakening (as through luxury or indolence) until one is too feeble to make an effort.

a nation's youth enervated by affluence and leisure

When is unman a more appropriate choice than emasculate?

Although the words unman and emasculate have much in common, unman implies a loss of manly vigor, fortitude, or spirit.

a soldier unmanned by the terrors of battle

In what contexts can unnerve take the place of emasculate?

The meanings of unnerve and emasculate largely overlap; however, unnerve implies marked often temporary loss of courage, self-control, or power to act.

unnerved by the near collision

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of emasculate Alternately, this man is taking good care of the home and family for his suffragist wife, but he’s thus emasculated. Natalie Kinkade, JSTOR Daily, 25 Sep. 2024 Williams also alluded to Choyce possibly feeling emasculated in the long run. Jasmine Browley, Essence, 6 Oct. 2024 In his world, homosexual signifies something at once depraved and emasculated. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 3 Sep. 2024 My highest value is freedom, and everyone, including men, should be given the space to express themselves without being emasculated for it. Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 7 Aug. 2024 See All Example Sentences for emasculate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for emasculate
Verb
  • The damage was fractures to both hands, his right arm, left and right leg and some broken ribs, but the multiple injuries to his spinal cord were the most devastating of all, paralyzing his legs.
    Ed Garsten, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • However, so much has happened since 2020 — the year that a pandemic paralyzed the country — that Idahoans could be forgiven if their memories of the event are a little hazy.
    Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Separately, the judge said Aidan Kearney, a local blogger who has closely covered the case and is also facing pending charges for allegedly intimidating witnesses, will be exempt from a witness sequestration order.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • While the towering shoes may seem intimidating, don’t let their large, often chunky heels fool you: PLatform shoes are among the most comfortable heels in any wardrobe.
    Nina Derwin, Glamour, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Two years ago, several small-business owners testified to a legislative committee that Americans with Disabilities Act plaintiffs’ lawyers filed spurious complaints, alleging what appeared to be a random list of violations in an attempt to frighten and intimidate the business owner.
    Mark Hillman, Denver Post, 16 Apr. 2025
  • This has hallmarks of emotional abuse – non-physical behaviors meant to isolate, control and frighten.
    R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Robbins’ parents were terrified that the school was using the laptop to spy on their son and other students (including their daughter Paige).
    Barry Levitt, Time, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The thought of dying without finding out what happened to her son terrifies Petrone.
    Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The Missouri product is a solid route-runner with sure hands, but there are some off-field concerns that could scare teams away.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Apr. 2025
  • As the Trump administration arbitrarily revokes and denies student visas, and xenophobic rhetoric scares away potential foreigners, agencies specializing in recruiting students from abroad are facing a sharp downturn.
    Emma Whitford, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Emasculate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emasculate. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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