emasculate
emasculate — verb
- emasculatepresent simple I / you / we / they
- emasculateshe / she / it
- emasculatedpast simple
- emasculating-ing form
1. to seriously reduce the strength or authority of an organization, law, or system
to seriously reduce the strength or authority of an organization, law, or system so that it is no longer able to function effectively or carry out its intended purpose
New budget cuts have emasculated the once-powerful environmental protection agency.
passive in effect: budget cuts emasculated [institution]
Critics warned that the amendment would emasculate the voting rights law by removing its enforcement provisions.
The agency found itself politically emasculated after the scandal.
Under the new leadership, the committee was effectively emasculated and reduced to an advisory role.
- weaken
more general and less forceful; can apply to physical strength or abstract qualities
- undermine
suggests gradual, often hidden damage rather than direct removal of power
- cripple
implies damage severe enough to prevent normal functioning
- neuter
similar meaning of removing essential force, but more informal and often applied to ideas or rules
- strengthen
to make something more powerful or effective
- empower
to give someone or something the authority to act
文法句型
be emasculated + by [agent]
emasculate + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often used in political or institutional contexts — the subject is typically a law, government body, policy, or system whose authority is being removed or limited.
常見錯誤
2. to strip a man of his sense of masculinity, confidence, or social standing by un
to strip a man of his sense of masculinity, confidence, or social standing by undermining his authority, treating him as weak, or taking away his traditional role
After losing his job, Hiro felt emasculated and struggled with his sense of identity.
feel emasculated + by life events
The constant criticism from his father made Arjun feel emasculated and worthless.
Being unable to provide for his family during the recession left Hamza feeling deeply emasculated.
After his wife took over the family business, Iker admitted he felt emasculated and unsure of his role.
- humiliate
broader — anyone can be humiliated; lacks the gender-specific dimension
- demoralize
focuses on loss of confidence rather than specifically masculine identity
- unman
dated but closest synonym; to deprive of qualities traditionally associated with men
文法句型
feel emasculated + by [agent/event]
be emasculated + by [agent/event]
用法筆記
This sense is about psychological or social injury to a man's sense of masculinity — distinct from sense 1 (weakening an institution) and sense 3 (literal castration). Typically used in discussions of gender roles, relationships, or workplace dynamics.
常見錯誤
3. to surgically remove the reproductive organs of a male human or animal so that t
to surgically remove the reproductive organs of a male human or animal so that they can no longer produce offspring
The farmer had the veterinarian emasculate the young bull to make it safer to handle.
have + agent + emasculate + animal
In many traditional farming communities, male horses were routinely emasculated to create calmer working animals.
Stallions that are not emasculated can be extremely difficult to manage around other horses.
The textbook describes several methods for safely emasculating adult bulls on a farm.
文法句型
emasculate + [animal / human]
be emasculated + by [veterinarian / surgeon]
用法筆記
This is the literal biological sense. In modern veterinary and medical contexts, the more common terms are 'castrate' or 'neuter.' 'Emasculate' in this sense sounds somewhat technical or dated.