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Dehumanize: meaning, definitions and examples

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dehumanize

 

[ diːˈhjuːmənaɪz ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

in psychology

To deprive someone of human qualities or attributes, often by treating them as if they are not human. This can lead to a loss of empathy and compassion towards the individual.

Synonyms

degrade, depersonalize, devalue.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
dehumanize

When you want to describe a situation where someone is being treated as less than human, often in a cruel or inhumane manner. This word carries a strong negative connotation.

  • Prisoners were dehumanized by the guards.
  • Racism dehumanizes entire communities.
depersonalize

Used when someone's individuality or personal identity is being diminished or ignored, often in institutional settings like hospitals or large organizations.

  • The hospital's procedures made him feel depersonalized.
  • The company's bureaucratic approach depersonalizes employees.
degrade

When describing someone being stripped of their dignity, respect, or worth, often through humiliating actions or remarks. Also carries a negative connotation.

  • The boss's constant criticism degraded her.
  • Dumping waste into the river degrades the environment.
devalue

When someone or something is being perceived as having less worth or importance than before. This can relate to opinions, currencies, or personal worth.

  • Critics devalue her achievements.
  • Economic instability devalued the national currency.

Examples of usage

  • His experiences in the war caused him to dehumanize the enemy soldiers.
  • The process of dehumanizing prisoners can have serious psychological effects on both the prisoners and the guards.

Translations

Translations of the word "dehumanize" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desumanizar

🇮🇳 अमानवीकरण करना

🇩🇪 entmenschlichen

🇮🇩 meniadakan kemanusiaan

🇺🇦 дегуманізувати

🇵🇱 dehumanizować

🇯🇵 人間性を奪う

🇫🇷 déshumaniser

🇪🇸 deshumanizar

🇹🇷 insanlıktan çıkarmak

🇰🇷 비인간화하다

🇸🇦 نزع الصفة الإنسانية عن

🇨🇿 dehumanizovat

🇸🇰 dehumanizovať

🇨🇳 非人化

🇸🇮 dehumanizirati

🇮🇸 afmennskja

🇰🇿 адамдық қасиетінен айыру

🇬🇪 დეჰუმანიზაცია

🇦🇿 insanlıqdan çıxarmaq

🇲🇽 deshumanizar

Etymology

The term 'dehumanize' originated in the early 19th century, derived from the combination of 'de-' meaning 'remove' and 'humanize' meaning 'to make human'. The concept of dehumanization has been studied extensively in psychology and sociology, particularly in relation to how it can lead to harmful attitudes and behaviors towards others.

See also: dehumanise, dehumanising, dehumanization, dehumanizing, humanitarian, humanitarians, humanity, humanization, humanize, humanizing, humankind, humans, inhuman, inhumanity, metahuman, subhuman, superhuman.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,053, 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.