anthropomorphism

noun

an·​thro·​po·​mor·​phism ˌan(t)-thrə-pə-ˈmȯr-ˌfi-zəm How to pronounce anthropomorphism (audio)
: an interpretation of what is not human or personal in terms of human or personal characteristics : humanization
Children's stories have a long tradition of anthropomorphism.
anthropomorphist noun

Examples of anthropomorphism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web For decades, scientists hesitated to study animal emotions lest they be accused of anthropomorphism. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 26 Jan. 2024 Not everyone is happy about the anthropomorphism and potential hype language involved. Benj Edwards, Ars Technica, 25 Sep. 2023 Scientists who claim that animals share human qualities like empathy are often condemned for anthropomorphism—the sin of awarding human characteristics to things that are not human. WIRED, 7 Oct. 2023 People project anthropomorphism or project that personality onto them, but that’s not really there, right, in a strong way. IEEE Spectrum, 2 Oct. 2023 Unlike anthropomorphism – projecting human characteristics onto a machine – this feeling is born from a sense of care for the machine. Janet Vertesi, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2023 Although people in many Indigenous cultures have long believed that animals can intentionally communicate, Western scientists traditionally have shied away from research that blurs the lines between humans and other animals for fear of being accused of anthropomorphism. Lois Parshley, Scientific American, 19 Sep. 2023 Darwin’s and Romanes’s notions, though, were largely based on theory, observation and a healthy dollop of anthropomorphism. Alla Katsnelson, Discover Magazine, 17 Aug. 2023 Like this, such instantaneous anthropomorphism has a deep effect on our cognitive process. IEEE Spectrum, 19 July 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'anthropomorphism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Greek anthrōpómorphos "having human form" + -ism — more at anthropomorphic

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anthropomorphism was in 1650

Dictionary Entries Near anthropomorphism

Cite this Entry

“Anthropomorphism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anthropomorphism. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

anthropomorphism

noun
an·​thro·​po·​mor·​phism ˌan(t)-thrə-pə-ˈmȯr-ˌfiz-əm How to pronounce anthropomorphism (audio)
: an interpretation of what is not human or personal in terms of human or personal characteristics compare theriomorphism
anthropomorphic adjective
anthropomorphically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on anthropomorphism

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!