anthropomorphize

verb

an·​thro·​po·​mor·​phize ˌan(t)-thrə-pə-ˈmȯr-ˌfīz How to pronounce anthropomorphize (audio)
anthropomorphized; anthropomorphizing

transitive verb

: to attribute human form or personality to

intransitive verb

: to attribute human form or personality to things not human
anthropomorphization noun

Examples of anthropomorphize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But people love to anthropomorphize machines, especially people who head generative AI companies. Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024 Whatever the reason, Stack urged onlookers to avoid anthropomorphizing the whales. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Mar. 2024 The impulse to anthropomorphize this diminutive wooden representation is clearly one Diop shares. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 18 Feb. 2024 My goal in introducing this terminology is to try and avoid using language that seems to anthropomorphize AI. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 Researchers writing in papers discussing LLMs were reportedly more likely to anthropomorphize than those writing about other forms of technology. Popular Science, 21 Feb. 2024 There’s something about human nature to anthropomorphize objects or anything. Josh Rottenberg, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2023 Further anthropomorphizing her work, Stout’s team frequently refers to things by quirky names that occasionally become their titles. Stephanie Sporn, Vogue, 14 Dec. 2023 People may also be more likely to anthropomorphize a fluent agent that has a voice, Eslami says, which could further muddy their understanding of what the technology can and can’t do. WIRED, 4 Oct. 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of anthropomorphize was in 1825

Dictionary Entries Near anthropomorphize

Cite this Entry

“Anthropomorphize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anthropomorphize. Accessed 3 Jun. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on anthropomorphize

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