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