Dehumanized: meaning, definitions and examples

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dehumanized

 

[diːˈhjuːmənaɪz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

feeling

To deprive of human qualities or attributes; to treat someone as if they are not human.

Synonyms

degrade, depersonalize, devalue.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
dehumanized

Use this word when talking about situations where people are treated as if they are not human. This often involves extreme cruelty or neglect.

  • The prisoners felt dehumanized by their captors.
  • The grueling work conditions left employees feeling completely dehumanized.
degrade

This word is suitable when referring to situations where someone or something is lowered in quality, respect, or status. It can also mean to break down over time.

  • The harsh words were meant to degrade her self-esteem.
  • Pollution will eventually degrade the quality of the soil.
depersonalize

Use this term when describing situations where individuals are treated as mere objects or numbers, often removing the sense of individuality or personality.

  • The new company policy seems to depersonalize employee interactions.
  • Depersonalize patient care can be detrimental to their mental health.
devalue

This word is best used when talking about a reduction in the value, importance, or quality of something, often in a more tangible or measurable way.

  • Constant criticism can devalue a person's hard work.
  • Inflation has significantly devalued the national currency.

Examples of usage

  • He felt dehumanized when he was treated like a machine at work.
  • The prisoners were dehumanized by the harsh conditions in the prison.
  • She couldn't stand the dehumanizing way she was spoken to by her boss.
Context #2 | Verb

war

To strip of human qualities and reduce to a subhuman level; to make someone seem less human in the context of war or conflict.

Synonyms

degrade, demonize, depersonalize.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
dehumanized

Used when someone is treated as though they lack human qualities, often in a cruel or inhumane manner. This term is commonly used in discussions about war, slavery, or extreme oppression.

  • The prisoners were dehumanized, forced to live in horrendous conditions with little to no care.
  • The movie portrays how the character was dehumanized by society.
demonize

Used when someone is treated or portrayed as if they are evil or malevolent. This term is often used in political discourse, media, and narratives that exaggerate someone's negative qualities.

  • The politician was demonized by the media during the election campaign.
  • It's unfair to demonize an entire group based on the actions of a few individuals.
degrade

Applied when someone is humiliated or reduced in rank, status, or value. It can be used in various contexts, including work environments, social interactions, and while talking about moral or ethical decline.

  • The manager's comments were intended to degrade her in front of her colleagues.
  • Pollution continues to degrade the environment.
depersonalize

Used when someone's individuality or personal identity is stripped away, often making them feel like a mere statistic or number. This term is often used in medical, bureaucratic, or institutional settings.

  • The patient felt depersonalized by the hospital's impersonal treatment routines.
  • Customer service can often depersonalize interactions, making people feel like just another complaint.

Examples of usage

  • The propaganda was designed to dehumanize the enemy soldiers.
  • During wartime, it's common for the enemy to be dehumanized in order to justify violence.

Interesting Facts

Historical Context

  • During wars, soldiers often deal with being dehumanized as a way to make it easier to fight against the enemy.
  • In history, certain groups have been dehumanized to justify slavery, racism, and other forms of discrimination.
  • The Holocaust involved systematic dehumanization, where individuals were treated as less than human as part of a larger genocide.

Psychology

  • Research shows that dehumanization can lead people to act violently without guilt, as they no longer see their victims as human.
  • When people are dehumanized, they may experience a drop in their self-worth and mental well-being.
  • Empathy is often the antidote to dehumanization, helping people to see the humanity in others.

Sociology

  • In many cultures, dehumanization can occur during social conflicts, where opposing groups lose sight of each other’s humanity.
  • Language plays a significant role in dehumanization; using derogatory terms can strip individuals of their identity.
  • Studies in social dynamics reveal that institutions can dehumanize individuals, particularly in systems like prisons or psychiatric hospitals.

Literature

  • In literature, characters often face dehumanization, which serves to critique societal norms and the impacts of war or oppression.
  • Works like 'Animal Farm' explore how those in power can dehumanize others to maintain control.
  • Dehumanization is a common theme in dystopian novels, emphasizing the struggles of characters in oppressive societies.

Pop Culture

  • Film and media often portray dehumanization in narratives about war, showing the psychological effects on both soldiers and civilians.
  • Video games sometimes dehumanize opponents, where the focus on scoring or winning overshadows the human aspect.
  • Television shows, especially in reality formats, can dehumanize contestants through editing and narrative framing.

Translations

Translations of the word "dehumanized" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desumanizado

🇮🇳 मानवता से रहित

🇩🇪 entmenschlicht

🇮🇩 tidak manusiawi

🇺🇦 дегуманізований

🇵🇱 odczłowieczony

🇯🇵 非人間化された

🇫🇷 déshumanisé

🇪🇸 deshumanizado

🇹🇷 insanlıktan çıkarılmış

🇰🇷 비인간화된

🇸🇦 مجرد من الإنسانية

🇨🇿 odlidštěný

🇸🇰 odľudštený

🇨🇳 非人化的

🇸🇮 dehumaniziran

🇮🇸 afmennskaður

🇰🇿 адамдықтан айырылған

🇬🇪 დეჰუმანიზირებული

🇦🇿 insanlıqdan çıxmış

🇲🇽 deshumanizado

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,841 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.