dehumanize

[ dee-hyoo-muh-nahyzor, often, -yoo- ]

verb (used with object)

, de·hu·man·ized, de·hu·man·iz·ing.

1. to regard, represent, or treat (a person or group) as less than human:

   Society still has a tendency to devalue and dehumanize those with disabilities and to suppress their voices.

2. to deprive of human qualities or attributes; divest of individuality:

   Conformity dehumanized him.

dehumanize

/ diːˈhjuːməˌnaɪz /

verb

1. to deprive of human qualities
2. to render mechanical, artificial, or routine

Derived Forms

• deˌhumaniˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• de·hu·man·i·za·tion [dee-hyoo-m, uh, -nahy-, zey, -sh, uh, n, -yoo-], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dehumanize¹

First recorded in 1810–20; de- + humanize

Example Sentences

Many Democrats have voiced solidarity with the queer community, and queer leaders and organizations are doing outreach to make sure queer people are OK and to push back against Republican narratives that dehumanize transgender people — which is all vital, but not enough, said Honey Mahogany, executive director of the San Francisco Office of Transgender Initiatives.

From Los Angeles Times

The rapper, who suffered a great deal at the hands of internet hate campaigns and misogynoir before and during Lanez's trial, stated, "I started to watch a lot of people start to dehumanize me and a lot of people were trying to take control of my narrative and tell my story."

From Salon

“When it becomes a talking point like this, we dehumanize and villainize other human beings.”

From Los Angeles Times

“I believe Senator Vance wants to solve this, but by standing with Donald Trump and not working together to find a solution, it becomes a talking point, and when it becomes a talking point like this, we dehumanize and villainize other human beings.”

From BBC

That inspired Juson to juxtapose the humanity of Black people against the words that sought to dehumanize them.

From Salon

Related Words

• abase
• degrade