anthropomorphic

adjective

an·​thro·​po·​mor·​phic ˌan(t)-thrə-pə-ˈmȯr-fik How to pronounce anthropomorphic (audio)
1
: described or thought of as having a human form or human attributes
anthropomorphic deities
stories involving anthropomorphic animals
2
: ascribing human characteristics to nonhuman things
anthropomorphic supernaturalism
anthropomorphic beliefs about nature
anthropomorphically adverb

Did you know?

As word lovers, we are endlessly fascinated by the uniqueness and complexity of human language. Many species use sounds and gestures to communicate with one another, but the ability to speak in full sentences, to share abstract ideas, and to write and tell stories is distinctly anthropic. Brilliant though dogs may be, they can’t verbalize their hopes and dreams. That is, unless those dogs are anthropomorphic—a trait common in works of fiction. From chatty chiweenies to tangoing tapirs, depictions of anthropomorphic animals abound thanks to our creative superpowers.

Examples of anthropomorphic in a Sentence

a story in which the characters are anthropomorphic animals
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The movies and the game are about a family restaurant, Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, whose anthropomorphic robots turn murderous at night. Lindsey Bahr, Fortune, 8 Dec. 2025 These models are unknowable—black boxes with anthropomorphic traits, but that are ultimately a series of complex calculations and statistical inferences based on mind-boggling sums of training data; much of that information was taken without express permission from its creators. Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 30 Nov. 2025 Thank goodness the gang of anthropomorphic animals are back. Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 27 Nov. 2025 The scene is also populated with Fortnite characters, including Peely, the anthropomorphic banana, and a man in the Skull Trooper outfit. Mike Miller, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for anthropomorphic

Word History

Etymology

Greek anthrōpómorphos "having human form" (from anthrōpo- anthropo- + -morphos -morphous) + -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of anthropomorphic was in 1802

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Cite this Entry

“Anthropomorphic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anthropomorphic. Accessed 22 Dec. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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