objectify

[ uhb-jek-tuh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, ob·jec·ti·fied, ob·jec·ti·fy·ing.

1. to present as an object, especially of sight, touch, or other physical sense; make objective; externalize.
2. to treat (a person) as an object or thing:

   Women are objectified and their physical attributes highlighted in ways that do not apply to men.

objectify

/ əbˈdʒɛktɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. tr to represent concretely; present as an object

Derived Forms

• obˌjectifiˈcation, noun

Other Words From

• ob·jec·ti·fi·ca·tion [uh, b-jek-t, uh, -fi-, key, -sh, uh, n], noun
• o·ver·ob·jec·ti·fi·ca·tion noun
• o·ver·ob·jec·ti·fy verb (used with object) overobjectified overobjectifying
• un·ob·jec·ti·fied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of objectify¹

First recorded in 1830–40; object + -ify

Example Sentences

He wanted to reverse that typical cliché about how we look at and objectify women’s bodies.

From Ozy

I have a strong experience of difference, of being vilified or removed or objectified through harassment or teasing.

From Washington Post

Even in the supportive celebration of her bravery, Spears and her career were being objectified again.

From The Daily Beast

In the 1990s, some in academia advocated for replacing the word slave, arguing it objectifies and dehumanizes those who were enslaved.

From Ozy

This urge to objectify and thereby transcend nature is the source, he implies, of all our travails.

From Washington Post

As a journalist writing a quick post for The Daily Beast, my job was to objectify him—and I did.

From The Daily Beast

But he failed to make the connection that chauvinists invariably objectify women and view them as unequal.

From The Daily Beast

Nichole, Former Porn Star: There are people like me who objectify themselves to men.

From The Daily Beast

Thus, they objectify both the pain of the sickness and the fear aroused in the community by the behaviour of the sick person.

From Project Gutenberg

Nor has he ever had the power to express and objectify himself completely, and achieve vital form.

From Project Gutenberg

We are inevitably inclined to objectify the limitations of our own power instead of recognizing them for what they are.

From Project Gutenberg

You objectify an impression without arguing as to its reality at all, or relating it to yourself or anything else.

From Project Gutenberg

The effort to objectify the ideal, and to put it in concrete form in words or upon canvas, is said to be precious though painful.

From Project Gutenberg