Definition of ANTHROPOMORPHIC

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Anthropomorphic comes from the Late Latin word anthropomorphus, which itself traces to a Greek term birthed from the roots "anthrōp-" (meaning "human being") and "-morphos" ("-morphous"). Those ancient Greek roots have given form and personality to many English words. "Anthrōp-" relatives include "anthropic" ("relating to human beings or the period of their existence on earth"), "anthropocentric" ("considering human beings the center of the universe"), "anthropoid" (an ape), and "anthropology" ("the study of human beings and their ancestors"). Derivatives of "-morphos" often end in "-morphism," as in "polymorphism" ("the quality or state of existing in or assuming different forms"), or "-morphic," as in "biomorphic" ("resembling the forms of living organisms").

Examples of anthropomorphic in a Sentence

a story in which the characters are anthropomorphic animals

Recent Examples on the Web

The colorful, anthropomorphic characters in the collection are equal parts Haas Brothers' creativity and L’Objet elegance. — Olivia Martin, Town & Country, "L'Objet Launches Haas Brothers Tableware Collection," 11 Mar. 2019 In compensation, a team from MIT offers the Persuasive Electric Vehicle, a whimsically anthropomorphic object designed to be as adorable as a puppy. — Michael J. Lewis, WSJ, "‘The Road Ahead: Reimagining Mobility’ Review: Future Imperfect," 10 Jan. 2019 Below this structure is a pair of anthropomorphic columns, one set at the top of a flight of steps, the other on checkerboard tile. — Cecil Beaton, Vogue, "Welcome In 2019 With a DIY Art Project, Courtesy of Vogue and Salvador Dalí," 31 Dec. 2018 Conclusion: Woodland whimsy Root’s odd combination of anthropomorphic creatures in a tense political situation is immediately gripping. — Charlie Theel, Ars Technica, "Root is a terrific—and fully asymmetric—woodland wargame," 29 Sep. 2018 Two of the figures embrace, and their bodies interpenetrate to form a new anthropomorphic — no, feminamorphic — tree. — Sharon Mizota, latimes.com, "Review: At the Korean DMZ, reunification through one artist's strange lens," 7 July 2018 Characters dressed as popular Fortnite characters, including a man donning an anthropomorphic tomato suit, wandered the lot taking pictures with fans. — Nick Statt, The Verge, "Fortnite’s celebrity tournament felt like a trial run for Epic’s grand e-sports ambitions," 17 June 2018 These anthropomorphic designs were luxurious and fantastical in precisely the way that makes couture so wonderful. — Emilia Petrarca, The Cut, "What Paris Couture and Jonathan Franzen Have in Common," 6 July 2018 Movies like Her and Ex Machina depict a near future in which anthropomorphic artificial intelligences manipulate our emotions and even commit violence against us. — Casey Newton, The Verge, "How science fiction is training us to ignore the real threats posed by AI," 20 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'anthropomorphic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.