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 There are no good statistics documenting this problem but, according to the sociologist Sanjay Srivastava, in many parts of North India, higher-caste men rape lower-caste women to emasculate lower-caste men. Ira Trivedi, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2014 This is taking programs that people depend on to save lives and emasculating them. Selina Wang, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2025 On the downside, the show has some terrible notions about Jewish women that play into controlling and emasculating stereotypes. Nina Metz, The Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2024 This is taking programs that people depend on to save lives and emasculating them. Selina Wang, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for emasculate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for emasculate
Verb
  • The widespread arrests have paralyzed parts of the city where high numbers of immigrants work, such as the Flower District downtown.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
  • The toe-biter’s venom first paralyzes its prey and then dissolves its insides.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • But moving from being a casual fan into understanding the intricacies of tennis can be intimidating.
    Caoimhe O'Neill, New York Times, 10 July 2025
  • Although new gardeners often find coming up with a design intimidating, there are existing templates to work from.
    Special to The Denver Post, Denver Post, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • But their return has also angered and frightened livestock farmers and others in rural communities who are having to learn to live alongside these once nearly-extinct creatures.
    Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 9 July 2025
  • But on Friday night, the booms and blasts of celebratory fireworks appear to have frightened them away.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2025
Verb
  • Paired with the gray-ish green color palette, sparse decor, and dark atmospherics in the Institute itself, the bleak vibes may be enough to turn some viewers off for good, especially those horror purists who tune in hoping to be terrified rather than just bummed out.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 July 2025
  • In a city where so many big plans have gone so badly for 30 years, San Diego residents shouldn’t just be wary when another bold proposal comes long — they should be terrified.
    U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • The combination of a floodlight and a camera is a great way to scare off intruders and get better quality footage at night.
    Simon Hill, Wired News, 11 July 2025
  • Simply pull the pin, and the device will emit a blaring siren sound in combination with a strobe light that will draw attention to your situation and scare away would-be threats.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 10 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Emasculate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emasculate. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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