emasculate

verb

emas·​cu·​late i-ˈma-skyə-ˌlāt How to pronounce emasculate (audio)
emasculated; emasculating
Synonyms of emasculatenext

transitive verb

1
: to deprive of strength, vigor, or spirit : weaken
2
: to deprive of virility or procreative power : castrate
3
: to remove the androecium of (a flower) in the process of artificial cross-pollination
emasculate
i-ˈma-skyə-lət How to pronounce emasculate (audio)
adjective
emasculation
i-ˌma-skyə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce emasculate (audio)
noun
emasculator
i-ˈma-skyə-ˌlā-tər How to pronounce emasculate (audio)
noun

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for emasculate

unnerve, enervate, unman, emasculate mean to deprive of strength or vigor and the capacity for effective action.

unnerve implies marked often temporary loss of courage, self-control, or power to act.

unnerved by the near collision

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

unman implies a loss of manly vigor, fortitude, or spirit.

a soldier unmanned by the terrors of battle

emasculate stresses a depriving of characteristic force by removing something essential.

an amendment that emasculates existing safeguards

Examples of emasculate in a Sentence

He plays the role of a meek husband who has been emasculated by his domineering wife. Critics charged that this change would emasculate the law.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
This is taking programs that people depend on to save lives and emasculating them. — Selina Wang, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2025 Only Adam is so emasculated by the stick, and Peter unwilling to do anything on the day’s shoot other than nod — as previously agreed — that the scene goes unshot. — Jack King, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2024 Alternately, this man is taking good care of the home and family for his suffragist wife, but he’s thus emasculated. — Natalie Kinkade, JSTOR Daily, 25 Sep. 2024 Williams also alluded to Choyce possibly feeling emasculated in the long run. — Jasmine Browley, Essence, 6 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for emasculate

Word History

Etymology

Latin emasculatus, past participle of emasculare, from e- + masculus male — more at male

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of emasculate was in 1607

Browse Nearby Words

emasculate
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Cite this Entry

“Emasculate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emasculate. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

emasculate

verb
emas·​cu·​late i-ˈmas-kyə-ˌlāt How to pronounce emasculate (audio)
emasculated; emasculating
1
: to deprive of masculine strength or spirit : weaken
2
: castrate
emasculation
-ˌmas-kyə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce emasculate (audio)
noun
emasculator
-ˈmas-kyə-ˌlāt-ər How to pronounce emasculate (audio)
noun

Medical Definition

emasculate

transitive verb
emas·​cu·​late i-ˈmas-kyə-ˌlāt How to pronounce emasculate (audio)
emasculated; emasculating
: to deprive of virility or procreative power : castrate
emasculation
-ˌmas-kyə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce emasculate (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

emasculate

transitive verb
emas·​cu·​late i-ˈmas-kyə-ˌlāt How to pronounce emasculate (audio)
emasculated; emasculating
: to deprive (as a law or judicial opinion) of force or effectiveness

More from Merriam-Webster on emasculate

Nglish: Translation of emasculate for Spanish Speakers

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