animalize

[ an-uh-muh-lahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, an·i·mal·ized, an·i·mal·iz·ing.

1. to excite the animal passions of; brutalize; sensualize.
2. Fine Arts. to represent in animal form or endow with animal features.

animalize

/ ˈænɪməˌlaɪz /

verb

1. tr to rouse to brutality or sensuality or make brutal or sensual

Derived Forms

• ˌanimaliˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• ani·mal·i·zation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of animalize¹

First recorded in 1735–45; animal + -ize

Example Sentences

“Often, it is only by anthropomorphizing animals and animalizing humans that the fictions that necessitate human borders can be propped up at all.”

From Washington Post

Without overdoing it, good animal books humanize animals while animalizing humans.

From New York Times

The racially-charged descriptor has been historically used in the U.S. to animalize, degrade and dehumanize black people.

From Salon

Both descriptors have been used in this country historically to dehumanize, animalize and degrade black people.

From Salon

But alongside the rest of that animalizing language, it winkingly indicts the accused — who were teenagers — not only for being criminals but also for being black.

From New York Times