UNMAN Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

unman

verb

ˌən-ˈman

Definition of unman

as in to paralyze

to deprive of courage or confidence the near crash of the airliner was a completely unmanning experience for the passengers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to discourage

to lessen the courage or confidence of players who wouldn't let themselves be unmanned by the loss of a single game

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Prosecutors say after killing her children, Clancy cut her wrists and neck and jumped from a second-story window, leaving her partially paralyzed.

— Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Some venoms paralyze respiratory muscles, while others destroy tissue, disrupt blood clotting, damage kidneys, or trigger cardiovascular collapse.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of paralyze

Verb

Lesley Lewis, who has run the French House pub in Soho for 37 years, said discouraging that tradition would only drive customers to other parts of the city.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
Pushing for transparency and justice for victims can be discouraging, as files continue to be released with victims' names but often without those of the accused.

— Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of discourage

Verb

Taylor contends the company welcomes more FDA scrutiny, and cautions against letting the outbreak frighten consumers away from eating fresh fruits and vegetables.

— Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Studios that let a government inquiry frighten them into caution are not managing risk.

— Christopher Racster, IndieWire, 23 July 2026

Definition of frighten

Verb

He is terrified by it, but at the same time tries to use this instrument of terror so as to be master of it in his turn.

— Jan Tumlir, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026
Cristobal and the Canes are crushing recruiting by every conceivable metric, which should terrify the rest of the country.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of terrify

Verb

Lemon and several other journalists have been charged with violating the FACE Act, which prohibits people from intimidating or interfering with individuals’ constitutional right to the freedom of religion.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
Survivor Series 2003 featured a match starring the gigantic, intimidating wrestler known as The Undertaker.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of intimidate

Verb

Under Republican control, the House of Representatives has been emasculated.

— Linh Tat, Oc Register, 5 May 2026
No matter what agenda the president espoused—the economic pragmatism of Rafsanjani, the liberal aspirations of Mohammad Khatami, the populist provocations of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the nuclear diplomacy of Hassan Rouhani—Khamenei emasculated him.

— Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2026

Definition of emasculate

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.

Cite this Entry

Style

“Unman.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unman. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of unman

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

salvo

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

'Gaslighting,' 'Woke,' 'Democracy,' and Other Top Lookups

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes