Definition of emasculatenext

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 Jordan continues yapping about being emasculated and being less of a man for staying with his wife. Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for emasculate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for emasculate
Verb
  • Williams was paralyzed in the crash.
    Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Inky Johnson left college football due to an injury that paralyzed his right arm.
    Haley Sawyer, Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The Forney girls soccer team is filled with underclassmen, but the young Jackrabbits were not at all intimidated by Southlake Carroll and its deep tradition.
    Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2026
  • At the Greeley plant, union officials said the company tried to intimidate workers to quit the union in one-on-one meetings, union general counsel Matt Shechter said.
    Katie Langford, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Some frighten people, while others delight them.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The marsupial escaped from Sunshine Farm in Necedah, a village about 90 miles away from Madison, on March 25, after being frightened by barking dogs, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network.
    Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Residents of Tehran, the Iranian capital, say they are exhausted by the bombs that have battered their city on a daily basis and terrified of the security checkpoints that have popped up looking for spies.
    Alexander Smith, NBC news, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Since his detainment, Maria said that she's been terrified of leaving the home.
    Conor Wight, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Bossche says the encounter with the rattler hasn't scared her off the trails for good.
    Jasmine Viel, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The outlet reported that, in the other scenario, guides and hotel staff, according to the CIB probe, have been coached to scare trekkers at high altitude, where altitude sickness can occur.
    Alex Nitzberg, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Emasculate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emasculate. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

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