unman

verb

ˌən-ˈman How to pronounce unman (audio)
Definition of unmannext
1
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
  1. paralyze
  2. discourage
  3. frighten
  4. frustrate
  5. terrify
  6. intimidate
  7. scare
  8. emasculate
Verb
  • The damage was fractures to both hands, his right arm, left and right leg and some broken ribs, but the multiple injuries to his spinal cord were the most devastating of all, paralyzing his legs.
    — Ed Garsten, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • However, so much has happened since 2020 — the year that a pandemic paralyzed the country — that Idahoans could be forgiven if their memories of the event are a little hazy.
    — Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of paralyze
Verb
  • Obama discouraged Biden from running in 2016.
    — W. James Antle III, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Mar. 2025
  • At their worst, the rules could prevent good pet owners from adopting and discourage want-to-be pet people from adopting at all, experts said.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of discourage
Verb
  • An American Airlines flight was forced to turn back around after a disruptive passenger began to frighten other passengers on the way from New York to Milan on Tuesday, April 8, the airline said.
    — Charna Flam, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone.
    — Zameena Mejia, Refinery29, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of frighten
Verb
  • Although so highly esteemed, the notoriously taciturn director would often frustrate his colleagues by his reticence to explain his directorial intentions.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The team settled on a patient with SD Autism Spectrum disorder who had an ankle sprain but frustrated Dr. Langdon (Patrick Ball) with his endless questions.
    — Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of frustrate
Verb
  • Robbins’ parents were terrified that the school was using the laptop to spy on their son and other students (including their daughter Paige).
    — Barry Levitt, Time, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The thought of dying without finding out what happened to her son terrifies Petrone.
    — Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of terrify
Verb
  • If the first phase was about intimidating workers into leaving—ending diversity efforts, forcing a return to office, and threatening terminations while dangling the derp—then the second was about eliminating the easiest-to-fire employees.
    — David W. Brown, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
  • From helping a gobbler land the ladies to intimidating his rivals, the turkey snood is a fascinating adaptation.
    — Alice Jones Webb, Outdoor Life, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of intimidate
Verb
  • As part of their efforts, the duo are trained to simply scare the animals off and run five to seven miles daily, rain or shine.
    — Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Ant scare Anthony Edwards finished with a team-high 28 points on an efficient 10-for-15 shooting from the field.
    — Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of scare
Verb
  • This is taking programs that people depend on to save lives and emasculating them.
    — Selina Wang, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2025
  • On the downside, the show has some terrible notions about Jewish women that play into controlling and emasculating stereotypes.
    — Nina Metz, The Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2024
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.

Browse Nearby Words

unmalicious
unman
unmanageable
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Cite this Entry

“Unman.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unman. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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