PsychologyAugust 19, 2026

emasculated

ih-MASK-yuh-lay-ted

Definition

Deprived of masculine vigor, assertiveness, or confidence; made to feel weak, passive, or stripped of traditional masculine identity.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin word 'emasculatus', which comes from 'ex-' (out) and 'masculus' (male). It originally referred to castration but evolved to figuratively describe the loss of power or manly spirit.

In the news

The article contrasts a healthy, authentic masculinity with an 'emasculated' state, describing the latter as a position of feeling anxious, guilty, and weak that some young men fear they must adopt to be considered 'good' by modern societal standards.

The Evolutionary Roots of the Male Mental Health Crisis

Read the full article ↗

Psychology Today

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