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
  • He was paralyzed as a result of the shooting and died three months later.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The disturbing event all but paralyzes Kyle on the couch as the viral loathing continues.
    Randy Myers, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • And since cleaning with bleach can be intimidating (ever have a load of laundryruined thanks to leftover bleach in the washing machine?), denture tablets can be a safer, easier alternative to getting your whites back to bright.
    Amy Brightfield, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2025
  • 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
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
  • The house that the Americans strategically position themselves in is home to two families; there are occasional insert shots of family photos and trinkets, and at several points these families are shown cowering, terrified by what’s happening around them.
    Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 17 Apr. 2025
  • If the deportations don’t terrify you yet, consider this: Erik Prince, a close Trump ally and founder of the private military contractor Blackwater, is advancing a $25 billion proposal to the White House to build mass detention centers in order to deport some 12 million immigrants.
    Sandy Tolan, Rolling Stone, 16 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 25 Apr. 2025.

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