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
  • Don’t let minor risks paralyze major opportunities. 5.
    Aslak de Silva, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The memos, also obtained by ProPublica, estimated that up to 166,000 people would die from malaria due to the cuts, while 200,000 children would be paralyzed by polio.
    Dan Cody, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • All of our drug policies must remain oriented toward discouraging drug use.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Stomach cramps: Not eating enough food can cause stomach pain or cramps, which may also discourage eating.
    Sherri Gordon, Parents, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Seeing those kinds of numbers in headlines may have started to frighten U.S. consumers, data shows.
    Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 4 Mar. 2025
  • While full autonomy may frighten many, most drivers do still want automakers to focus on safety tech.
    John Koetsier, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Any armchair sleuths hoping to test their clue-cracking skills will be left similarly frustrated by the fact breadcrumbs are practically non-existent throughout.
    Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 20 Mar. 2025
  • In battle royale games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Call of Duty: Warzone, death is an immediate elimination, which can frustrate streamers trying to get exciting footage for their viewers — and there’s nothing more exciting than a win.
    Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • No matter what your views are on Israel & Palestine, we should all be terrified of a government incarcerating its residents for their political opinions.
    Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Carolina Waterfowl Rescue has a history of rescuing snakes from predicaments in the region, including the venomous species that seem to terrify the public.
    Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Trump files spurious lawsuits to force his targets to defend themselves financially and legally and intimidate others from crossing him — or to surrender and settle, as ABC News did.
    Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Trying to circumvent that process by removing or intimidating a judge – with violence or with impeachment – could endanger both judges and their families, and American democracy, experts and legal scholars say.
    Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Higher prices and looming economic uncertainty could scare off consumers, experts previously told ABC News.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Mozer yelled out of his apartment window, scaring Moseley off.
    Jessica Sager, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • 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
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 24 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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