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

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unman
Verb
  • Courtenay Brown Dec 16, 2024 - Economy Trump wildcard paralyzes global central banks Global policymakers admit that how their economies fare next year largely rests on President-elect Trump and whether his trade agenda becomes a reality.
    Courtenay Brown, Axios, 20 Dec. 2024
  • In the 1950s, before a vaccine was available, polio killed or paralyzed more than half a million people globally each year, according to the World Health Organization.
    Brenda Goodman, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Ironically, Tom Holland and Zendaya were initially discouraged from exploring their chemistry off-screen.
    Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 20 Dec. 2024
  • The richest, Elon Musk, has discouraged Republican members of Congress from supporting a bipartisan budget deal, which collapsed on Thursday.
    Ted Reed, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • But these videos have gotten increasingly ominous and predatory, even frightening me at times.
    Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 25 Nov. 2024
  • Walking into that pitch-black space, not seeing anything while having my eyes wide open exhilarated and frightened me.
    Jeryl Brunner, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • The other side: The Colorado Cattlemen's Association is frustrated with the rollout and tone at the state level.
    John Frank, Axios, 20 Dec. 2024
  • Republicans across the political spectrum were already frustrated with the bill.
    USA TODAY, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • There’s a story about a packet of Skittles causing humiliation in the airport, and an engrossing tale about an unintentionally terrifying Peppa Pig performance at a children’s party.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
  • My Hugo would chase it and bark at it, or he'd be terrified.
    Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The terrorism charge, under New York law, can be applied if the act is intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population or influence government policies.
    Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
  • The Theatre of Dreams no longer intimidates opponents.
    Felipe Cardenas, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • In their colorful garb, participants move to the sounds of drums and loud music meant to both honor the ancestors and scare away lingering spirits.
    Sasha C. Wells / Made by History, TIME, 26 Dec. 2024
  • Today in Colorado and across the West the boogeyman used to scare us into cutting down forests is the natural and essential process of wildfire.
    Josh Schlossberg, The Denver Post, 22 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Only Adam is so emasculated by the stick, and Peter unwilling to do anything on the day’s shoot other than nod — as previously agreed — that the scene goes unshot.
    Jack King, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2024
  • 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
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near unman

Cite this Entry

“Unman.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unman. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

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