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Synonyms

dehumanize

American  
[dee-hyoo-muh-nahyz, -yoo-] / diˈhyu məˌnaɪz, -ˈyu- /
especially British, dehumanise

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 British  
/ diːˈhjuːməˌnaɪz /

verb

  1. to deprive of human qualities

  2. to render mechanical, artificial, or routine

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • dehumanization noun

Etymology

Origin of dehumanize

First recorded in 1810–20; de- + humanize

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They added that they "oppose the indiscriminate mass deportation of people" and "pray for an end to dehumanizing rhetoric and violence".

From BBC

Because when you allow people to be dehumanized, you stop caring about them — and Reiner was not about to let us stop caring.

From Los Angeles Times

What they refrain from hurling in that moment, or at any point throughout “Welcome to Derry,” is a dehumanizing slur splashed all over the pages of the original “It.”

From Salon

It’s a reminder that when someone tries to dehumanize you, laughing in their face can be a declaration of personhood.

From Salon

“The purpose of oppression, hatred and discrimination is to disconnect us and dehumanize us,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times