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
  • Trump deserves credit for ignoring the voices in Washington who counsel inaction out of an understandable but often paralyzing fear of unintended consequences.
    The Editors, National Review, 24 June 2025
  • To all who saw Iran as a behemoth, were daunted by its deterrence and paralyzed by its threats, these are days of reckoning.
    HUSSEIN AGHA, Foreign Affairs, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • In her June 22 decision, Holmes said the government’s claims that Abrego Garcia is a gang member and could intimidate or threaten witnesses are based on vague statements of cooperating witnesses.
    Michael Collins, USA Today, 26 June 2025
  • How Unions are Stepping in to Fill Governance Gaps Unions have observed that many workers feel intimidated by the technical nature of AI and are uneasy when discussing their concerns with their employers.
    Oludolapo Makinde, Forbes.com, 26 June 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
  • The loud noises terrify many dogs and cats into running away — which is easier with more doors opening during parties.
    Jen Reeder, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The women on the ward were terrified by the sudden invasion of masked people.
    Zadie Smith, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • The chemistry is real, but Nic scares me for Olandria.
    Julia Moore, People.com, 27 June 2025
  • The camper attempted to scare off the bear by banging pots and pans and screaming at the bear.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Emasculate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emasculate. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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