anthropomorphism

noun

an·thro·po·mor·phism ˌan(t)-thrə-pə-ˈmȯr-ˌfi-zəm

: 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

ˌan(t)-thrə-pə-ˈmȯr-fist

noun

Examples of anthropomorphism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Scientists who claim that animals share human qualities like empathy are often condemned for anthropomorphism—the sin of awarding human characteristics to things that are not human. —

WIRED, 7 Oct. 2023 People project anthropomorphism or project that personality onto them, but that’s not really there, right, in a strong way. —

IEEE Spectrum, 2 Oct. 2023 Unlike anthropomorphism – projecting human characteristics onto a machine – this feeling is born from a sense of care for the machine. —

Janet Vertesi, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2023 Although people in many Indigenous cultures have long believed that animals can intentionally communicate, Western scientists traditionally have shied away from research that blurs the lines between humans and other animals for fear of being accused of anthropomorphism. —

Lois Parshley, Scientific American, 19 Sep. 2023 Darwin’s and Romanes’s notions, though, were largely based on theory, observation and a healthy dollop of anthropomorphism. —

Alla Katsnelson, Discover Magazine, 17 Aug. 2023 Like this, such instantaneous anthropomorphism has a deep effect on our cognitive process. —

IEEE Spectrum, 19 July 2021 Darwin’s and Romanes’ notions, though, were largely based on theory, observation and a healthy dollop of anthropomorphism. —

Alla Katsnelson, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Aug. 2023 Green is adept at stripping away the layers of anthropomorphism and cliché that render our often strange Earth familiar to us. —

Phillip MacIak, The New Republic, 11 July 2023 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

Greek anthrōpómorphos "having human form" + -ism — more at anthropomorphic

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of anthropomorphism was in 1650

See more words from the same year

Dictionary Entries Near anthropomorphism

Anthropomorphidae

anthropomorphism

anthropomorphite

See More Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

Style

“Anthropomorphism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anthropomorphism. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.

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