Definition of unmannext

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
  • Barricades erected on key roads have effectively isolated the city of La Paz, triggering fuel and food shortages, paralyzing transportation and preventing patients from reaching hospitals — causing at least seven deaths for lack of medical attention, the government says.
    ABC News, ABC News, 20 June 2026
  • Barricades erected on key roads have essentially isolated the city of La Paz, Bolivia’s seat of government, triggering fuel and food shortages, paralyzing transportation and preventing patients from reaching hospitals.
    Paola Flores, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
Verb
  • In 2011, the bipartisan Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission determined that the crisis was triggered in part by Greenspan’s failure to discourage trade in securities backed by subprime mortgage loans amid an unsustainable housing boom and his promotion of financial industry deregulation.
    Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 22 June 2026
  • The color yellow attracts yellow jackets and other pollinating insects, so the all-red design increases your chances of attracting hummingbirds and discourages bees and wasps from staking claim over the sweet nectar.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • But her outbursts frightened the children too.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 June 2026
  • What frightened me most was what might happen to my children.
    Monica Rodriguez-Aguilera, New York Daily News, 15 June 2026
Verb
  • Trump’s rogue moves have frustrated Thune’s party regularly over the past two months.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 24 June 2026
  • David Rubenstein, the son of a Baltimore postal worker, was frustrated in a Washington law firm when he was both inspired by a wildly successful leveraged buyout and unnerved by a book that claimed the odds of successfully starting a company plummets after 37.
    Diane Brady, Fortune, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • Supporters — many of them wearing Colombia’s yellow and red colors — rushed the gates at the home stadium of the NFL's Miami Dolphins, leaving fans terrified and bloodied as security struggled to contain the rush.
    ABC News, ABC News, 26 June 2026
  • In La Guaira, entire sections of Catia la Mar remained without electricity on Thursday after many residents spent Wednesday night sleeping in streets, cars or near damaged buildings, terrified of further collapses.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • Uzbekistan, playing in its first World Cup, was not intimidated by the big stage, weathering a withering Colombia attack in a 3-1 loss.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
  • As a result, bodyweight exercises may feel more approachable and sustainable for beginners or even people intimidated by going to a gym.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 20 June 2026
Verb
  • Don’t be scared by his blue eyes.
    Erin Jensen, USA Today, 26 June 2026
  • The intent of the letters isn’t to scare people, but to educate them about water stewardship, Talbott said.
    Emily Cureton Cook, ProPublica, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • When Ruben turns up uninvited to Niall’s wedding, he is feeling completely emasculated by Niall’s actions.
    Barry Levitt, Time, 29 May 2026
  • Not only has he been so emasculated by the one person he A) trusted the most and B) never thought had the power in him to emasculate him.
    K.J. Yossman, Variety, 29 May 2026
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 28 Jun. 2026.

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