Synonyms of emasculate

emasculate

verb

i-ˈma-skyə-ˌlāt 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• paralyze
• intimidate
• frighten
• terrify
• scare
• demoralize
• unsettle
• unnerve
• unman
• undo
• weaken
• debilitate
• discourage
• neuter
• enfeeble
• terrorize
• soften
• enervate
• unstring
• waste
• disturb
• dishearten
• dispirit
• sap
• upset
• daunt
• perturb
• unhinge
• unbalance
• psych (out)
• prostrate
• derange
• tire
• faze
• dismay
• disquiet
• discompose
• craze
• madden
• weird out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• nerve
• strengthen
• encourage
• fortify
• embolden
• hearten

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

Recent Examples of emasculate

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

Still, the episode belongs to Anita Barone and Amy Pietz as Larry’s dueling disabled dates (neither actress is actually disabled in real life, though Curb has historically cast disabled actors to play disabled characters), and Rosie O’Donnell as the latest foe to emasculate him. —Larry Fitzmaurice, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2024

One of Modi’s successes has been not just to trounce the Congress Party but also to persuade people that the party has weakened India and emasculated its Hindus. —Samanth Subramanian Vikas Adam Tanya Pérez Zachary Mouton, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2024