anthropomorphize

[ an-thruh-puh-mawr-fahyz ]

verb (used with or without object)

, an·thro·po·mor·phized, an·thro·po·mor·phiz·ing.

1. to ascribe human form or attributes to (an animal, plant, material object, etc.).

anthropomorphize

/ ˌænθrəpəˈmɔːfaɪz /

verb

1. to attribute or ascribe human form or behaviour to (a god, animal, object, etc)

Other Words From

• anthro·po·morphi·zation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of anthropomorphize¹

First recorded in 1835–45; anthropomorph(ic) ( def ) + -ize

Example Sentences

The team was inspired by past marketing campaigns that attempted to anthropomorphize imperfect produce, and spent six years putting together their case that making irregular produce appear more human could increase sales.

From Salon

In the film version of “Robot Dreams,” the background characters, all anthropomorphized animals, have distinct looks: a lion with a boombox, a wiener dog selling franks and some mischievous rabbits.

From Los Angeles Times

“I started thinking about how to include my coping mechanisms and make everyone a character and kind of anthropomorphize my brain.”

From Seattle Times

But, obviously, as with everything with dogs, we tend to anthropomorphize them and think that what we might think or feel in that situation, they might feel or think in that situation.

From Salon

“People tend to anthropomorphize certain objects like cars, even giving them names, because our brains are hard-wired to see personality even when it’s not possible to exist,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times