Effeminize refers to the act of making someone or something less masculine. It is a word that carries a negative connotation, as it suggests that being effeminate is undesirable. There are, however, several other words that can be used in place of effeminize. These include feminize, emasculate, castrate, weaken, undermine, debilitate, or demasculinize. These words all convey a similar meaning to effeminize, but they may be viewed in a more neutral or positive light, depending on their context. Regardless of which word is used, it is important to be mindful of the attitudes and biases that may be associated with gender-based language.