emasculate

verb

emas·​cu·​late i-ˈma-skyə-ˌlāt 

emasculated; emasculating

transitive verb

1

: to deprive of strength, vigor, or spirit : weaken

2

: to deprive of virility or procreative power : castrate

3

: to remove the androecium of (a flower) in the process of artificial cross-pollination

emasculate

i-ˈma-skyə-lət 

adjective

emasculation

i-ˌma-skyə-ˈlā-shən 

noun

emasculator

i-ˈma-skyə-ˌlā-tər 

noun

Synonyms of emasculate

• paralyze
• intimidate
• frighten
• terrify
• scare

Choose the Right Synonym for emasculate

unnerve, enervate, unman, emasculate mean to deprive of strength or vigor and the capacity for effective action.

unnerve implies marked often temporary loss of courage, self-control, or power to act.

unnerved by the near collision

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

unman implies a loss of manly vigor, fortitude, or spirit.

a soldier unmanned by the terrors of battle

emasculate stresses a depriving of characteristic force by removing something essential.

an amendment that emasculates existing safeguards

Examples of emasculate in a Sentence

He plays the role of a meek husband who has been emasculated by his domineering wife.

Critics charged that this change would emasculate the law.

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Under Republican control, the House of Representatives has been emasculated. —Linh Tat, Oc Register, 5 May 2026

They were emasculated and embarrassed in Minnesota. —Troy Renck, Denver Post, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin emasculatus, past participle of emasculare, from e- + masculus male — more at male

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

emasculate

verb

emas·​cu·​late i-ˈmas-kyə-ˌlāt 

emasculated; emasculating

1

: to deprive of masculine strength or spirit : weaken

2

: castrate

emasculation

-ˌmas-kyə-ˈlā-shən 

noun

emasculator

-ˈmas-kyə-ˌlāt-ər 

noun

Medical Definition

emasculate

transitive verb

emas·​cu·​late i-ˈmas-kyə-ˌlāt 

emasculated; emasculating

: to deprive of virility or procreative power : castrate

emasculation

-ˌmas-kyə-ˈlā-shən 

noun

Legal Definition

emasculate

transitive verb

emas·​cu·​late i-ˈmas-kyə-ˌlāt 

emasculated; emasculating

: to deprive (as a law or judicial opinion) of force or effectiveness