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

It was such a dehumanizing feeling that I had to remember who I was and why I was doing this.

From Los Angeles Times

How do we, and especially parents worried about their kids growing up in this sort of dehumanizing culture that we’re in, tap into that benefit?

From Los Angeles Times

To systematically dehumanize them — first prisoners, then immigrants — and to watch as the public starts to believe they don’t deserve to be treated like humans.

From Salon

Cain’s transformation from playing a character who protected immigrants to actively participating in their deportation exemplifies the broader cultural shift toward dehumanizing undocumented people.

From Los Angeles Times

Feiglin’s words lay bare a harrowing truth: this is no longer a war, but a calculated and dehumanizing military campaign aimed at erasing not only the most vulnerable — children — but an entire people from existence.

From Salon

Related Words

• abase 
• degrade