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

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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 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 Under Republican control, the House of Representatives has been emasculated. — Linh Tat, Oc Register, 5 May 2026 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 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 See All Example Sentences for emasculate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for emasculate

Verb

Once injected with venom, the prey is paralyzed and drained of bodily fluids.

— Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2026
The storm paralyzed the East Coast from the Chesapeake Bay to Maine and even some parts of Canada from March 12 to March 14.

— Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 4 July 2026

Definition of paralyze

Verb

The parking at Krog Street Market can be intimidating, but there’s no need to try to navigate the valet or the small lot in the front of the market.

— Blair Crosby, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
The Oura Ring 4 has dropped to $399, cutting a cool $100 off the intimidating $499 list price.

— Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 4 July 2026

Definition of intimidate

Verb

At the time of writing, as the Marine Traffic map shows, tanker traffic is barely moving through the Strait, and many ships, unable to obtain insurance or with their owners frightened at the level of risk involved, are refusing to advance.

— Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
But because the president has frightened Congress, Congress doesn’t raise its voice when the president puts his Albert Speer–like building project, or intends to, on Congress’s land.

— David Frum, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026

Definition of frighten

Verb

Should Hentges have chosen unemployment instead of a contract because the Giants play in San Francisco and their organization is terrified of people like Slusser?

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
While the Fourth of July can be a ton of fun, loud fireworks and firecrackers can terrify pets — and concern their owners.

— Jen Reeder, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of terrify

Verb

There was one American flag sign lit, with some storefront decor gleaming red, white and blue, but the heat seemingly scared most away from celebrating July 4 before Saturday's big day.

— Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Johnson says Monday was her first time on the Wild Mouse attraction; however, the experience did not scare her away from the park.

— Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026

Definition of scare

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“Emasculate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emasculate. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of emasculate

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