Anthropomorphized: meaning, definitions and examples
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anthropomorphized
[ ˌanθrəˈpɒməˌraɪz ]
in storytelling
To attribute human characteristics or behavior to a non-human entity, typically an animal or object, in order to make it more relatable or understandable to humans. This technique is often used in literature, movies, and animation.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
anthropomorphized |
Used in contexts where non-human entities (like animals, objects, or natural phenomena) are given human characteristics or behaviors. Often found in literature, animation, and discussions about artificial intelligence.
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personify |
Used when giving human qualities to abstract concepts or inanimate objects. Often found in literature, poetry, and rhetoric.
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humanize |
Used when describing the process of making something more human or relatable, often to generate empathy or understanding. Commonly used in social sciences, media, and literature.
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embody |
Used when talking about something that represents or symbolizes an idea or quality. Often used in abstract or philosophical contexts.
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Examples of usage
- Disney movies often anthropomorphize animals, giving them human-like personalities and emotions.
- The author anthropomorphized the tree in the story, describing it as having feelings and thoughts.
in psychology
To ascribe human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities, such as gods, natural phenomena, or technological devices. This can be a form of cognitive bias where humans project their own experiences onto the world around them.
Synonyms
attribute human characteristics, personify.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
anthropomorphized |
Similar to 'anthropomorphized,' this form is used interchangeably in scholarly or detailed analysis to discuss giving human qualities to non-human figures.
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attribute human characteristics |
This phrase is more versatile and can be used in both casual and formal contexts. It describes the act of giving human attributes to non-human things, often to make them relatable or understandable.
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personify |
This word is often used in literary contexts or everyday conversations to describe giving human qualities to inanimate objects, abstract concepts, or animals, typically to create vivid imagery or emotional appeal.
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Examples of usage
- Ancient civilizations often anthropomorphized natural forces like the sun and the moon, attributing them with human-like qualities.
- People tend to anthropomorphize their pets, attributing human emotions and motivations to their behavior.
Translations
Translations of the word "anthropomorphized" in other languages:
🇵🇹 antropomorfizado
🇮🇳 मानवीकरण किया गया
🇩🇪 vermenschlicht
🇮🇩 diantropomorfiskan
🇺🇦 антропоморфізований
🇵🇱 antropomorfizowany
🇯🇵 擬人化された
🇫🇷 anthropomorphisé
🇪🇸 antropomorfizado
🇹🇷 insan biçimine sokulmuş
🇰🇷 의인화된
🇸🇦 مؤنسن
🇨🇿 antropomorfizovaný
🇸🇰 antropomorfizovaný
🇨🇳 拟人化的
🇸🇮 antropomorfiziran
🇮🇸 mannlegt
🇰🇿 антропоморфизацияланған
🇬🇪 ადამიანური თვისებებით დაჯილდოებული
🇦🇿 antropomorfikləşdirilmiş
🇲🇽 antropomorfizado
Etymology
The term "anthropomorphized" is derived from the combination of two Greek words: "anthropos" meaning human, and "morphe" meaning form or shape. The concept of anthropomorphism has been present in human culture for centuries, with examples ranging from ancient mythologies to modern popular culture. By attributing human traits to non-human entities, anthropomorphism allows us to better understand and relate to the world around us.
Word Frequency Rank
Ranking #39,242, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.
- ...
- 39239 drat
- 39240 wangled
- 39241 coruscating
- 39242 anthropomorphized
- 39243 glockenspiel
- 39244 canoeist
- 39245 kettledrum
- ...