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
  • Cuban officials acknowledged at the end of last year the country’s economy is yet again paralyzed due to fuel shortages and power stations constantly breaking down.
    Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026
  • This week's protests are the biggest in three years, since nationwide demonstrations triggered by the death of a young woman in custody in late 2022 paralyzed Iran for weeks, with rights groups reporting hundreds killed.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Despite being one of the top defenses all season, the last month has been discouraging.
    Austin Mock, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • This design helps prevent condensation buildup and discourages rodents and pests, while still reducing the risk of damage from falling debris during winter storms.
    Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2026
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
  • Games that are too easy bore older players, while overly complex games can frustrate younger ones.
    Clarissa Brincat, Popular Science, 8 Jan. 2026
  • But while Coogan racked up millions of views for his YouTube explainers about political figures like Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, he was frustrated by the hours of prep work that went into producing a single episode.
    Julia Black, Vanity Fair, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Hodges managed to hang on to his baton but then found himself on all fours, surrounded by the mob, terrified that he would soon be torn apart.
    Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
  • At another level, there does seem to be something absurd and even terrifying about the idea that someone who is not elected can become the leader of a country and then will be recognized as the leader of that country and receive the immunities afforded to heads of state.
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 3 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
  • After scaring off the animal, one of the hikers, a physician, attempted to revive Kovatch, but did not find a pulse.
    Outside, Outside, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Don’t let the tackiness of this primer scare you.
    Michelle Baricevic, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Jordan continues yapping about being emasculated and being less of a man for staying with his wife.
    Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
  • 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
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 12 Jan. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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