EMASCULATE Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

emasculate

verb

i-ˈma-skyə-ˌlāt

Definition of emasculate

as in to paralyze

to deprive of courage or confidence being eliminated early in one's very first tennis tournament can be an emasculating experience

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 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 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 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 See All Example Sentences for emasculate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for emasculate

Verb

Politicians could no longer rely on local patrons to intimidate people into voting for them and had to compete on representing their interests.

— Asim Ali, Time, 24 Oct. 2026
Drivers who intimidate on purpose are surprisingly plentiful.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of intimidate

Verb

For Cox and Walker, the challenge was to introduce horror-film conventions without frightening the franchise’s youngest viewers.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
Guitarricadelafuente said he was initially frightened by the prospect of acting in La Bola Negra.

— Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of frighten

Verb

No wonder Dad had been terrified of making a mistake, of relaxing or trusting others enough to let his guard down.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
Now a ruthless emperor, Paul must face the consequences of his reign as old allies return, terrifying new threats emerge and betrayal lurks in every shadow.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of terrify

Verb

The white whale of American politics seemed in reach until the president spent two years scaring it away.

— Gabe Fleisher, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026
El-Sayed is a handy bogeyman for Republican politicians who seek to scare their constituents into voting for them instead of the foreboding Arab name on the ballot.

— Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of scare

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emancipations

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“Emasculate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emasculate. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of emasculate

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