What does unmanning mean?
“Unmanning” means depriving someone of courage, confidence, or resolve, often to the point that they become hesitant or unable to act. It is usually figurative: a person may be “unmanned by fear,” “unmanned by failure,” or “left feeling unmanned” after a shock, defeat, or humiliating experience. The word carries a distinctly literary tone and is less common in ordinary speech than related verbs such as “unnerve,” “dishearten,” or “daunt.” Its older literal sense, involving the loss of manhood or manly qualities, is now dated. This historical meaning helps explain the modern figurative use, but current readers are most likely to understand the word as describing a profound loss of self-confidence and emotional strength. Because the expression can sound old-fashioned or dramatic, it is especially effective in serious prose rather than casual conversation.
To deprive someone of courage, confidence, or resolve; to make someone feel unable to act confidently.
"The relentless criticism unmanned him before the performance."
Literary and relatively uncommon; often used figuratively with “by” or in the form “leave someone feeling unmanned.”
To render someone unmanly or impotent.
"The medication was said to have unmanned him."
This older sense is now dated and may sound archaic.
Sometimes one defeat does more than discourage—it can unman a person entirely.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unmanning come from?
“Unmanning” is formed from “un-” meaning “to undo or reverse” and “man,” with the sense of depriving a person of courage or manly resolve. The word developed from older literal ideas of losing manhood and later acquired a broader figurative use. Its vocabulary relatives include “manhood,” “manlike,” “mankind,” and “manliness,” all based on the same English word “man.”
How unmanning is actually used
The word is literary and relatively uncommon. Its older sense concerning manhood or masculinity is dated and may sound archaic or awkward today. In modern figurative use, it typically describes a loss of confidence or resolve.
Easily confused with unmanning
“Unman” is the infinitive of this verb, whereas “unmanning” is its present participle or gerund form.
“Unmanned” means lacking personnel or human presence, whereas “unmanning” means depriving someone of courage or, in older usage, manly qualities.