EMASCULATE Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

emasculate

verb

i-ˈma-skyə-ˌlāt

Definition of emasculate next

as in to paralyze

to deprive of courage or confidence being eliminated early in one's very first tennis tournament can be an emasculating experience

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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 And yet precisely this dynamic ensures that commitment between men, the kind of domesticity that David and Giovanni attempt to establish in Giovanni’s room, can only ever be emasculating. —

Garth Greenwell, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025 By emasculating standards for performance, equity grading has both encouraged and hidden academic dysfunction. —

Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025 Apparently, not in the D.C. Court of Appeals, and our cowardly Congress will rue the day this emasculating ruling remains the law of the land. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025 He’s not emasculated, there’s no affair on the side, there’s no secret loathing, there’s no immature handling of arguments or true failures of communication with dire consequences. —

Alex Ross, People.com, 19 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for emasculate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for emasculate

Verb

Because of the paralyzing fear caused by their operation, small businesses whose customer bases and workforces include immigrant community members temporarily closed due to the sharp drop in customers and fear that their businesses would be subject to CBP raids.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
McDonald was only 20 months on the job when a 15-year-old suspect, Shavod Jones, opened fire on him in Central Park on July 12, 1986, striking McDonald in the face, neck and wrist, and paralyzing him instantly.

— Barry Williams, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026

Definition of paralyze

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“Emasculate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emasculate. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 14 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of emasculate

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