defeminized
Stripped of femininity
Defeminized describes something from which feminine qualities have been removed or reduced.
The term appears in medical and scientific contexts—a defeminized hormone profile, a defeminized appearance following certain treatments.
It also describes social or cultural stripping away of femininity: The military training defeminized her mannerisms.
The word implies a baseline of femininity that has been altered or suppressed.
Without sex distinction
- unisexSuitable for any gender
- androgynousNeither distinctly male nor female
- desexedSterilized an animal
- neuteredRendered infertile surgically
unsexed · genderless · neutralized · degendered · stripped · unmarked · homogenized · standardized
Male in character
- mannishResembling a man
- butchMasculine in manner
- tomboyishUnfeminine in manner
- machoOverly masculine manner
hardened · toughened · roughened · coarsened · testosterone · broad-shouldered · angular
Lacking decoration or ornament
- utilitarianPrioritizing function over beauty
- plainBasic and unremarkable
- severeExtremely harsh or strict
- starkSevere and unadorned
stripped-down · functional · practical · workwear · unfussy · minimalist · angular · sharp
Male-dominated social order
- sexismGender-based prejudice
- misogynyHostility toward women
- policingEnforcing laws officially
- suppressionForcible prevention or concealment
erasure · marginalization · devaluation · stigmatization · shaming · heteronormativity · conformity · repression
Gaining authority or confidence
- liberationRelease from constraint
- nonconformityRejection of prevailing norms
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
- agencyPower to act
self-determination · resistance · subversion · rejection · defiance · rebellion · transgression · radical
gender-neutral
Without sex distinction
- unisexSuitable for any gender
- androgynousNeither distinctly male nor female
- desexedSterilized an animal
neutered · unsexed · genderless · neutralized · degendered · stripped · unmarked · homogenized · standardized · undifferentiated
masculine
Male in character
macho · hardened · toughened · roughened · coarsened · testosterone · broad-shouldered · angular
unadorned
Lacking decoration or ornament
- utilitarianPrioritizing function over beauty
- plainBasic and unremarkable
- severeExtremely harsh or strict
stark · stripped-down · functional · practical · workwear · unfussy · minimalist · angular · sharp · austere
patriarchy
Male-dominated social order
suppression · erasure · marginalization · devaluation · stigmatization · shaming · heteronormativity · conformity · repression · silencing
empowerment
Gaining authority or confidence
- liberationRelease from constraint
- nonconformityRejection of prevailing norms
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
agency · self-determination · resistance · subversion · rejection · defiance · rebellion · transgression · radical · unapologetic
female, feminine, femininity, effeminate, unfeminine, feminize, feminized, feminization