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
  • The region is grappling with a winter storm that is paralyzing activity in the area with freezing precipitation on its roads, discouraging shoppers from heading out to stores.
    Brian Womack, Dallas Morning News, 24 Jan. 2026
  • Travelers at Miami International Airport should expect delays and cancellations Friday through the weekend as a winter storm is forecast to paralyze much of the country.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The travel watch still discourages unnecessary travel.
    Cheryl Vari, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Jan. 2026
  • The region is grappling with a winter storm that is paralyzing activity in the area with freezing precipitation on its roads, discouraging shoppers from heading out to stores.
    Brian Womack, Dallas Morning News, 24 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Fernando Najera, director of the California Carnivores Program at UC Davis, said that recent experience showed that mountain lions can learn not to be afraid of technology that once worked to frighten them away from people and livestock.
    Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Her hysteria frightens me and demands to be taken care of.
    Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Paczocha and his wife were frustrated by growing unrest stemming from Black Lives Matter protests and six months of COVID-19 restrictions the family believed were overly strict.
    Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Naturally, many were frustrated with the long wait times, and particularly outraged at just how pricey the tickets were selling for this time around (upwards of $1,000 a ticket).
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Parents in our network describe being terrified, with some fearing their children, many of whom have legal status, could be used as leverage against family members.
    Daniel Anello, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
  • The 2026 National Defense Strategy appears to have been drafted not by serious people but by Pentagon officials eager to curry favor with an imperious president and terrified of getting their talking points wrong.
    Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Ryan Thornton, 37, of Racine, was initially charged in October in Dane County with stalking and misdemeanor counts of intimidating a victim and disorderly conduct.
    CBS News, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Salerno claims her team was disqualified from the following meet, and then began to face intimidating stares from the trans athlete at public events.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Would honking unnecessarily scare residents who are already afraid?
    Tim Sullivan, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Most of that money would go to compensate ranchers for cattle eaten by wolves and for guard dogs, scaring devices or other means to keep them away from livestock.
    Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • In the political sphere—an arena that’s increasingly entangled with social media—figures such as Elon Musk decry empathy as an emasculating plague.
    Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Jordan continues yapping about being emasculated and being less of a man for staying with his wife.
    Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 13 Nov. 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 1 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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