Anthropomorphize: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when giving human traits or behaviors to animals, objects, or gods. Often applied in literature, storytelling, or animation.

• Children often anthropomorphize their toys, giving them names and personalities.
• The movie anthropomorphizes the forest creatures, making them the main characters.

Used when attributing human characteristics to abstract concepts, often in poetry or literature. Can also be used when describing a person as a perfect example of a quality.

• The poet personified death as a gentle guide leading souls to the afterlife.
• She personifies kindness, always willing to help others.

Used when making something more human-like or relatable, particularly in a way that emphasizes empathy and understanding. Often applied in social contexts or discussions about characters in stories.

• The documentary aims to humanize the refugees by sharing their personal stories.
• The author humanizes the villain, showing his struggles and fears.

Used when something or someone physically represents an idea, quality, or concept. Often applied in discussions of art, literature, and symbolic representations.

• The sculpture embodies the spirit of freedom.
• She embodies the qualities of a great leader.