devirilize

devirilize

A doctor explains that certain medications can devirilize a patient.

Definition
  1. Verb:
    • To remove or diminish masculine qualities or characteristics: "devirilize" means to cause someone or something to lose virility, strength, or traditionally masculine traits, often resulting in perceived weakness or effeminacy.
Usage Examples
  • Verb:
    • The harsh criticism seemed to devirilize his confidence, leaving him feeling powerless. (To weaken his masculine assertiveness.)
    • Some argue that modern society seeks to devirilize men by discouraging traditional male roles. (To reduce masculine attributes.)
Advanced Usage

  • "to be devirilized by something": to have one's masculine strength or vigor stripped away by an external force.

    • The constant pressure to conform devirilized his sense of independence. (It weakened his masculine resolve.)

  • "to devirilize a culture": to systematically remove or suppress masculine ideals within a society.

    • The regime's policies aimed to devirilize the warrior ethos of the people. (To eliminate traditional male strength.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Devirilization (n): the process or result of being devirilized.

    • The devirilization of the workforce has been a topic of debate. (The reduction of masculine traits in the workplace.)

  • Virile (adj): having strength, energy, and a strong sex drive; typically associated with masculinity.

    • He was a virile young man, full of energy and ambition. (Possessing masculine vigor.)
Synonyms
  • Effeminize: to make someone or something more feminine in appearance or character.
  • Weaken: to make someone or something less strong or powerful.
  • Emasculate: to deprive of masculine strength or vigor; to make weak or ineffective.
Antonyms
  • Virilize: to give or restore masculine qualities.
  • Strengthen: to make stronger or more powerful.
Phrasal Verbs
  • (None directly associated with "devirilize"; it is a formal, transitive verb used primarily in academic or critical contexts.)
Related Idioms

  • To cut the balls off: a vulgar idiom meaning to emasculate or weaken someone, similar in effect to "devirilize."

    • The new rules effectively cut the balls off the department's authority. (Weakened its power.)

  • To take the man out of the man: an informal expression meaning to remove masculine traits from someone.

    • His constant failures seemed to take the man out of the man. (Devirilized him.)