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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
While the cropped photo of the intelligent anthropomorphic beagle's name card didn't picture the person's face, McPoland uploaded his own Instagram carousel showing off his costume as Gromit in full. Skyler Caruso, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024 Traditionally the man-eating anthropomorphic plant is portrayed with a puppet that is voiced by a male. Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 1 Nov. 2024 Want to watch people dissolve in the stomach acid of an anthropomorphic bed? Annalise Frank, Axios, 29 Oct. 2024 Partly as a result of this, and partly because of its emotionally potent subject matter, the field is extremely susceptible to unwarranted anthropomorphic interpretations. Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024 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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Dictionary Entries Near anthropomorphic

Cite this Entry

“Anthropomorphic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anthropomorphic. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.

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