Masculinity Studies Terminology

verb to deprive of strength, vigor, or power; weaken

adjective having been deprived of strength, vigor, or power; weakened

• The king felt emasculated when he was unable to defend his kingdom.
• John felt emasculated when his girlfriend outperformed him in the competition.
• Jake's friends teased him, saying he was emasculated after losing the arm-wrestling match.
• The new policy emasculated the power of the board members, leaving them feeling powerless.

verb to deprive of manly qualities or attributes; to weaken or undermine the courage or strength of

• The sight of blood did not unman the experienced surgeon.
• Don't let a little bit of failure unman you.
• He was unmannin' it when he saw the spider.
• The overwhelming task seemed to unman him, but he pushed through.