What is another word for anthropomorphize?

Pronunciation: [ˈanθɹəpˌɒmɔːfˌa͡ɪz] (IPA)

Anthropomorphize means to attribute human-like qualities to non-human objects or animals. Some synonyms to describe this phenomena could be personify, humanize or animalize. These words help to explain the process of giving something inanimate the characteristics or behaviors of a person or animal. Other synonyms include to humanize, to attribute human characteristics to, to personalize, or to give a human face to something. Anthropomorphizing is often used to help people understand non-human things or animals in a more relatable way, though it can also be considered problematic if taken too far or applied inaccurately. Overall, there are many synonyms that can be used to describe this interesting and complex concept.

What are the hypernyms for Anthropomorphize?

A hypernym is a word with a broad meaning that encompasses more specific words called hyponyms.
  • Other hypernyms:

    personify, ascribe human qualities, assign human qualities, attribute human qualities, project human characteristics.

Usage examples for Anthropomorphize

Even when you worship a beast or a stone, you practically anthropomorphize it.
"Five Stages of Greek Religion"
Gilbert Murray
Final causes, they say, are not discovered in inanimate nature by the cold, calculating, unemotional analysis to which reason submits its activities, but are read into it by minds which allow themselves to be prompted by the imagination and emotions to personify and anthropomorphize inanimate agencies.
"Ontology or the Theory of Being"
Peter Coffey

Famous quotes with Anthropomorphize

  • While Moses forbids 'graven images' of Him whose name is not to be taken in vain, Spinoza goes farther. He clearly infers that God must not be so much as described. Human language is totally unfit to give an idea of this "Being" who is altogether unique. Whether it is Spinoza or the Christian theology that is more right in their premises and conclusion, we leave the reader to judge for himself. Every attempt to the contrary leads a nation to anthropomorphize the deity in whom it believes, and the result is that given by Swedenborg. Instead of stating that God made man after his own image, we ought in truth to say that "man imagines God after his image," forgetting that he has set up his own reflection for worship.
    Helena Petrovna Blavatsky

Related words: anthropomorphism, humanize, personify, deanthropomorphize, antimetathesis, anthropocentric

Related questions:

  • What does anthropomorphize mean?
  • What does anthropomorphization mean?
  • How do you anthropomorphize something?
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