Emasculate

/ɪˈmæskjʊleɪt/

Meaning & Definition

verb

To deprive a male of his male role or identity; to castrate.

The harsh criticism aimed at him seemed intended to emasculate his confidence.

To make something less effective or weaker.

The new policies were seen as an attempt to emasculate the organization's influence.

To remove the masculine characteristics or qualities from.

The film was criticized for attempting to emasculate traditional notions of masculinity.

From Latin emasculare, meaning 'remove the male' (e from ex 'out' + masculus 'male').

emasculate one's authority

To undermine or weaken someone’s control or command.

emasculated by fear

To be made weak or ineffective as a result of fear.

castrate

To remove the testes of a male animal or person.

debilitate

To make someone or something weak.

To be made to feel less masculine or strong.

He felt emasculated after being defeated in the argument.

To have one's confidence undermined.

The constant mocking from peers emasculated his self-esteem.