unmanly
Lacking masculine courage
Unmanly describes behavior, appearance, or qualities considered inappropriate or shameful for a man according to traditional gender expectations.
It typically implies weakness, cowardice, or excessive emotionality: He thought crying in public was unmanly.
The term carries a prescriptive, often judgmental tone, suggesting failure to meet masculine ideals.
What counts as unmanly varies by culture and era, and the word itself reflects attitudes that many now consider dated or sexist.
Without bravery or nerve
- spinelessLacking courage or resolve
- timidLacking courage or confidence
- cravenContemptibly lacking nerve
- pusillanimousLacking courage or determination
gutless · yellow · lily-livered · chicken · fainthearted · weak-kneed · fearful · shrinking
Male seeming feminine
- foppishVainly preoccupied with dress
- dandifiedExcessively refined in dress
- mincingAffectedly delicate in manner
- swishyMaking soft swooshing sounds
prissy · sissy · pansy · effete · flamboyant · campy · precious · simpering
Weak and ineffective
- frailWeak and breakable
- impotentLacking power or efficacy
- powerlessLacking strength or authority
- ineffectualFailing to achieve purpose
helpless · enervated · debilitated · infirm · flimsy · puny · scrawny · soft
Prone to weeping
- weepyInclined to cry
- sentimentalExcessively emotional about memories
- oversensitiveExcessively prone to offense
- whinyInclined to complain
blubbering · sobbing · maudlin · melodramatic · hysterical · overwrought · thin-skinned · moody
Lacking integrity or ethics
- disgracefulCausing loss of respect
- degradingLowering in worth
- undignifiedLacking proper gravity
- ignobleLacking moral character
shameful · emasculating · humiliating · contemptible · unbecoming · unseemly · improper · base
cowardly
Without bravery or nerve
- spinelessLacking courage or resolve
- timidLacking courage or confidence
- cravenContemptibly lacking nerve
pusillanimous · gutless · yellow · lily-livered · chicken · fainthearted · weak-kneed · fearful · shrinking · mousy
effeminate
Male seeming feminine
- foppishVainly preoccupied with dress
- dandifiedExcessively refined in dress
- mincingAffectedly delicate in manner
swishy · prissy · sissy · pansy · effete · flamboyant · campy · precious · simpering · fey
feeble
Weak and ineffective
ineffectual · helpless · enervated · debilitated · infirm · flimsy · puny · scrawny · soft · limp
tearful
Prone to weeping
- weepyInclined to cry
- sentimentalExcessively emotional about memories
- oversensitiveExcessively prone to offense
whiny · blubbering · sobbing · maudlin · melodramatic · hysterical · overwrought · thin-skinned · moody · sulking
dishonorable
Lacking integrity or ethics
- disgracefulCausing loss of respect
- degradingLowering in worth
- undignifiedLacking proper gravity
ignoble · shameful · emasculating · humiliating · contemptible · unbecoming · unseemly · improper · base · lowly
- unmanned vehiclesVehicles without human pilots