castrating
Surgically removing gonads
Castrating is removing the testicles of a male animal or person, eliminating reproductive capacity and reducing testosterone.
Farm animals are routinely castrated to make them more docile and improve meat quality.
Figuratively, to castrate someone is to deprive them of power, strength, or vitality: She accused the committee of castrating the proposal.
The metaphor suggests emasculation—rendering someone ineffective or weak.
Castrated male equine
- spayingSurgical sterilization of females
- neuteringSurgical sterilization of animals
- sterilizationComplete elimination of microbes
- orchiectomySurgical testicle extraction
desexing · fixing · altering · emasculation · eunuch · vasectomy · ovariectomy · gonadectomy
Removing dangerous teeth
- declawingPermanent nail removal surgery
- neuteringSurgical sterilization of animals
- guttingRemoving internal organs
- watering downMaking weaker or milder
sanitizing · censoring · bowdlerizing · blunting · softening · taming · muzzling · silencing
Causing painful embarrassment
- demeaningCausing loss of respect
- belittlingExpressing contempt or dismissiveness
- degradingLowering in worth
- disempoweringRemoving capacity to act
unmanning · weakening · diminishing · debasing · devaluing · undermining · infantilizing · patronizing
Sterilize a female animal
- neuterRemove fertility surgically
- scalpelPrecise surgical knife
- anesthesiaInduced loss of feeling
- incisionControlled cut into tissue
ligation · suture · postoperative · recovery · clinic · vet · animal welfare · population control
Absence of microbes or fertility
- infertilityInability to reproduce
- impotenceLack of strength or power
- barrennessInability to bear fruit
- contraceptionPregnancy prevention measures
breeding · fertility · progeny · bloodline · lineage · siring · stud · heredity
gelding
Castrated male equine
- spayingSurgical sterilization of females
- neuteringSurgical sterilization of animals
- sterilizationComplete elimination of microbes
orchiectomy · desexing · fixing · altering · emasculation · eunuch · vasectomy · ovariectomy · gonadectomy · capon
defanging
Removing dangerous teeth
- declawingPermanent nail removal surgery
- neuteringSurgical sterilization of animals
- guttingRemoving internal organs
watering down · sanitizing · censoring · bowdlerizing · blunting · softening · taming · muzzling · silencing · suppressing
humiliating
Causing painful embarrassment
- demeaningCausing loss of respect
- belittlingExpressing contempt or dismissiveness
- degradingLowering in worth
disempowering · unmanning · weakening · diminishing · debasing · devaluing · undermining · infantilizing · patronizing · soul-crushing
spay
Sterilize a female animal
- neuterRemove fertility surgically
- scalpelPrecise surgical knife
- anesthesiaInduced loss of feeling
incision · ligation · suture · postoperative · recovery · clinic · vet · animal welfare · population control · feral
sterility
Absence of microbes or fertility
- infertilityInability to reproduce
- impotenceLack of strength or power
- barrennessInability to bear fruit
contraception · breeding · fertility · progeny · bloodline · lineage · siring · stud · heredity · offspring
- ranchingcattle, ranch, rancher, ranchers, ranching
- livestock workherding dogs, cattle drives, shepherding, penning, gathering
- farm choresmilking cows, milking, egg gathering, mucking stalls, hay baling
- farmworkharvesting, farmworkers, planting, farm labor, crop farming
castratingfertilizing
Adding nutrients to soil
impregnating · breeding · inseminating · vasectomy reversal · procreating
castratingempowering
Giving authority or confidence
emboldening · strengthening · masculinizing · bolstering · fortifying
- castration anxietyDread of losing male organs
- chemical castrationHormone therapy eliminating fertility