Synonym Chooser

How does the verb unman differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of unman are emasculate, enervate, and unnerve. While all these words mean "to deprive of strength or vigor and the capacity for effective action," unman implies a loss of manly vigor, fortitude, or spirit.

a soldier unmanned by the terrors of battle

In what contexts can emasculate take the place of unman?

The words emasculate and unman are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, emasculate stresses a depriving of characteristic force by removing something essential.

an amendment that emasculates existing safeguards

Where would enervate be a reasonable alternative to unman?

The words enervate and unman can be used in similar contexts, but 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 it sensible to use unnerve instead of unman?

While in some cases nearly identical to unman, unnerve implies marked often temporary loss of courage, self-control, or power to act.

unnerved by the near collision

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unman
Verb
  • Because her brother is paralyzed after an attack on a Charlotte Area Transit System bus in March.
    Andrew Dys, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Congress does not fail to act on guns because it is paralyzed.
    John J. Donohue, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • At first, the results were discouraging.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2025
  • If the task is itself a learning activity that develops skills or forces cognitive engagement, discourage AI use.
    Dave Tucker, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Judy Hernandez’ husband Raul, a co-founder of the community group the Resurrection Project, dismissed those plans as a political stunt geared to create fear and frighten Spanish-speaking people.
    Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Many of us are conditioned to think that our ultimate goal in life is to be with someone, so much so, that the mere thought of being alone frightens us.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Larsen makes Didi’s absurd actions feel credible, something a woman frustrated with her own life would do, in haste, on behalf of another.
    Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
  • The East African nation has been frustrated about the poor equipment, lack of manpower and money to help dismantled Haiti’s gangs.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In that episode, the college football fans are terrified to find themselves in Pro Town, a place where people go to yoga on Saturdays.
    Kristi Dosh, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Murillo recalled a Cuban grandmother whose grandchildren were terrified to go to school after their father was detained in front of them at their own home by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Trump administration members are going in a different direction, pressing for investigations of left-leaning groups that appear designed to intimidate, if not prosecute.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Dealing with debt collectors is a high-stress and intimidating experience.
    True Tamplin, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Just enough time to snap some selfies and scare your housemates.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Their offense, outside their all-world quarterback, doesn’t scare anybody, not without Rashee Rice (suspension) and Xavier Worthy (injury), and with Travis Kelce in Year 13.
    Zak Keefer, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • 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
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Unman.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unman. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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