dehumanize

especially British, de·hu·man·ise

[dee-hyoo-muh-nahyz, -yoo-]

verb (used with object)

dehumanized, dehumanizing 

1. to regard, represent, or treat (a person or group) as less than human.

   Society still has a tendency to devalue and dehumanize those with disabilities and to suppress their voices.

2. to deprive of human qualities or attributes; divest of individuality.

   Conformity dehumanized him.

dehumanize

/ diːˈhjuːməˌnaɪz /

verb

1. to deprive of human qualities

2. to render mechanical, artificial, or routine

Other Word Forms

• dehumanization noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dehumanize¹

First recorded in 1810–20; de- + humanize

Example Sentences

“We pray for an end to dehumanizing rhetoric and violence, whether directed at immigrants or at law enforcement,” the statement read.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“We pray for an end to dehumanizing rhetoric and violence, whether directed at immigrants or at law enforcement.”

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“The entire process of getting and keeping an entry-level job has become a grueling and dehumanizing ordeal over the past decade,” the author writes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

These people are dehumanized and objectified as “takers” and not “makers,” or as non-player characters in a video game.

Read more on Salon

It will stop at nothing to debase and dehumanize any opposition — openly acknowledging that it dreams of burying in excrement even those who peacefully object.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abase 
• degrade