emasculate

verb

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

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 adjective
emasculation noun
emasculator noun
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.
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 In his world, homosexual signifies something at once depraved and emasculated. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 3 Sep. 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

Dictionary Entries Near emasculate

Cite this Entry

“Emasculate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emasculate. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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
emasculation noun
emasculator 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 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

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