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
  • But in southern states like Georgia, Alabama, and the Carolinas, even 1 to 3 inches can paralyze roads.
    Sirena Bergman, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
  • In May 2021, one of the largest fuel pipeline systems in the United States was paralyzed when a cyberattack brought operations to an abrupt halt.
    Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Chiefly, many doctors say the label is largely responsible for stigmatizing hormone therapy and discouraging many women from taking it and doctors from prescribing it.
    Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 10 Nov. 2025
  • His father, Troy Adams, a driving coach and former NASCAR driver, had briefly discouraged the idea of becoming a race car driver, knowing the expense would be a factor, but soon came around.
    Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • These political executions are a callous attempt by the authorities to frighten and silence an increasingly restive population no longer willing to accept their corrupt and oppressive rule.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Tens of millions of dollars have been spent to redefine reality and to convince our neighbors that this new age is something that should frighten them.
    TIME Video, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • There were rumors Williams was frustrated with how the Jets were playing, and one can’t blame him, having been part of seven straight losing seasons.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The deadlock has put a pall over Capitol Hill, where lawmakers are frustrated, staffers aren’t getting paid, and the mood is dark, even compared to shutdowns of years past.
    Mike Lillis, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Everyone was terrified of Friedkin.
    Marta Balaga, Variety, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Trump is terrified of the midterms, of Republicans losing control of the House or the Senate or both.
    Chris Brennan, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Millions of seniors stuck due to accessibility issues For seniors today, finding the right place to live out the rest of their lives is intimidating for a number of reasons.
    Sydney Franklin, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Indeed, one of General George Washington’s greatest achievements was to avoid being cornered and forced to capitulate to these intimidating legions in the war’s early years.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Still, the company faces the same existential headwinds that have scared other would-be moguls away from the news business.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Skinner has gone to back-to-back Cup Finals, but the volatility in his game probably scares decision-makers.
    Chris Johnston, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • And yet precisely this dynamic ensures that commitment between men, the kind of domesticity that David and Giovanni attempt to establish in Giovanni’s room, can only ever be emasculating.
    Garth Greenwell, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
  • By emasculating standards for performance, equity grading has both encouraged and hidden academic dysfunction.
    Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
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 14 Nov. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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