as in to undermine
to deprive of emotional or intellectual vitality
a movie version that castrates the hard-hitting novel
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of castrate
There was a serial castrator on the Upper West Side who would take kids, lead ’m into Central Park, castrate them, and then murder them.
—
David Frum, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
Before long a steer, or castrated bull, named Sue gingerly wanders into the Darwin home.
—CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
Set in the Italian opera world of the 1700s, Rice’s novel tells the not-for-the-squeamish story of two male soprano singers who were castrated as boys in order to maintain their high voices.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 12 Nov. 2025
Donkey has now been castrated, and the adorable family trio lives together in a large field with Partridge's other horses.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for castrate
David Frum, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
Before long a steer, or castrated bull, named Sue gingerly wanders into the Darwin home.
—CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
Set in the Italian opera world of the 1700s, Rice’s novel tells the not-for-the-squeamish story of two male soprano singers who were castrated as boys in order to maintain their high voices.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 12 Nov. 2025
Donkey has now been castrated, and the adorable family trio lives together in a large field with Partridge's other horses.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for castrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for castrate
Verb
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In a recent Equity survey, 71 % of actors from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds still reported that hair and makeup departments were unable to meet their needs, something that undermining wellbeing, authenticity and production values.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Governments had promoted cleaner fuels like LPG for health and conservation reasons, but rising costs are undermining those gains.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The deeper the rifts between the United States and Europe over Iran, the greater the chances of weakening the NATO alliance.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
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During his appearances on Capitol Hill this month, Secretary Kennendy was grilled about the administration's defense of the pesticide industry and weakening of protections against mercury pollution, another issue that Kennedy had worked on as an advocate.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The long hours of immersion in cold water and the strain of swimming fully clothed through turbulent waves toward the tantalizingly near shoreline must have drained the last bit of endurance from him.—
Jim Hoagland,
Outdoor Life,
30 Apr. 2026
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Xefco One Australian startup is trying to clean up one of fashion’s more draining problems.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Messick, who grew up dreaming of wearing a Rays uniform, continues to be a nightmare for his hometown team.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
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Melania wore a double-breasted crepe suit from American designer Adam Lippes, who also designed her navy-and-ivory ensemble for the president's second inauguration ceremony last year.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Repole is exhausting, but never exhausted.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
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But within a few years, they were exhausted from constant touring with occasional bickering.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In group chats and meetings, Republicans are privately petrified the Iran war could cost them the midterms.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
16 Apr. 2026
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The filmmaker leans pop-comic rather than petrifying in his final draft, opting for earnestness that smothers atmospheric dread.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Castrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/castrate. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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