SINCE 1828

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anthropomorphism

noun an·thro·po·mor·phism \ -ˌfi-zəm \

Definition of anthropomorphism

: 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

play \-fist\ noun

Recent Examples of anthropomorphism from the Web

Not too long ago, Amarello's plea could have been dismissed as well-meaning anthropomorphism.

— National Geographic, "Even Snakes Have Friends—One More Reason Not to Slaughter Them," 10 Mar. 2016
That notion didn’t always hold sway, and in some ways corrected the excessive anthropomorphism of the 19th century, when such august figures as Charles Darwin ruminated on the maternal affections of starfish and earwigs.

— brandon keim, WIRED, "Gift-Giving Birds May Think Much Like People," 4 Feb. 2013

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

Origin and Etymology of anthropomorphism

see anthropomorphic

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1650

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

Medical Dictionary

anthropomorphism

noun an·thro·po·mor·phism \ ˌan(t)-thrə-pə-ˈmȯr-ˌfiz-əm \

medical Definition of anthropomorphism

: an interpretation of what is not human or personal in terms of human or personal characteristics — compare theriomorphism

—

anthropomorphic

play \-fik\ adjective

—

anthropomorphically

play \-i-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Learn More about anthropomorphism

See words that rhyme with anthropomorphism Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about anthropomorphism

Seen and Heard

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WORD OF THE DAY

cathexis

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investment of mental or emotional energy

BROWSE DICTIONARY

anthropomorphic

Anthropomorphidae

anthropomorphism

anthropomorphite

anthropomorphize

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