humanize

especially British, hu·man·ise

[hyoo-muh-nahyz, yoo-]

verb (used with object)

humanized, humanizing 

1. to make humane, kind, or gentle.

2. to make human.

verb (used without object)

humanized, humanizing 

1. to become human or humane.

humanize

/ ˈhjuːməˌnaɪz /

verb

1. to make or become human

2. to make or become humane

Other Word Forms

• humanizer noun
• humanization noun
• nonhumanized adjective
• overhumanize verb
• rehumanization noun
• rehumanize verb
• semihumanized adjective
• superhumanize verb (used with object)
• unhumanize verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of humanize¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; human + -ize

Example Sentences

What I wanted to do with this material was flip that narrative and use it to humanize this community.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In tests using mice with humanized immune systems, the newly engineered cells successfully destroyed most cancer cells while avoiding attack from the host’s own immune defenses.

Read more on Science Daily

The most notable addition to the story is a sequence depicting the Phantom’s humiliating past as part of a freak show—a clever innovation that slightly humanizes this opaque character.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“You’re more likely to hear stories of mixed families … and that kind of thing humanizes the situation instead of turning it into a lot of abstract statistics.”

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These assist in humanizing figures other TV formats tend to flatten.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• civilize 
• tame