Definition of unmannext

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
  • Though brief, Yoon’s martial law decree threw the country into a severe political crisis, paralyzing politics and high-level diplomacy and rattling financial markets.
    ABC News, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Though she is paralyzed from the neck down, Lucy still has some mobility in her arms, the Post reported.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • And in recent years, the teams have been deployed to discourage fare-skipping on local buses as well.
    Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Over time, patterns like these have discouraged Black residents from looking into buying a home, said Shelia Russell-Williams, president of the Real Estate Brokers of Baltimore.
    Lily Carey, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • How To Keep Skunks Away From Your Yard There are no effective repellants or devices that frighten skunks away.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Several critics said the legislation introduces too many unknowns, adding that with the artificial intelligence legislation also under consideration, Connecticut is moving towards regulations that could frighten companies looking to grow in the state.
    P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The letter was about a 50-year-old who was frustrated that a 70-year-old friend didn’t pick up the phone when called.
    R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Bianco grew visibly frustrated several times over the debate’s format and his opponents’ answers.
    Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Starring Kim Hye-yoon and Lee Jong-won, the film follows a road-view camera crew that encounters terrifying supernatural events at a remote reservoir.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Monitor was always meant to be experienced with a room full of people being terrified together.
    Justin Kroll, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Installing a pea gravel patio yourself may sound a bit intimidating.
    Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Solo dining can be intimidating, but a recent rise in parties of one is changing that.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Eriksson Ek scare Top Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek left 29 seconds into the third period after sliding awkwardly into the boards.
    Michael Russo, New York Times, 1 May 2026
  • The lobby is where the elderly owner scares children with tales of a witch who once haunted these grounds.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • No matter what agenda the president espoused—the economic pragmatism of Rafsanjani, the liberal aspirations of Mohammad Khatami, the populist provocations of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the nuclear diplomacy of Hassan Rouhani—Khamenei emasculated him.
    Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2026
  • In the political sphere—an arena that’s increasingly entangled with social media—figures such as Elon Musk decry empathy as an emasculating plague.
    Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
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 2 May. 2026.

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