Synonyms of dehumanize

dehumanize

verb

(ˌ)dē-ˈ(h)yü-mə-ˌnīz 

as in to humiliate

to make (someone) feel or behave more like an animal than a human being

being deprived of clothes dehumanized the prisoners

Synonyms & Similar Words

• humiliate
• brutalize
• poison
• subvert
• demean
• animalize
• bestialize
• degrade
• contaminate
• pollute
• corrupt
• prostitute
• debauch
• deprave
• abase
• humble
• pervert
• disgrace
• taint
• warp
• profane

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• improve
• honor
• exalt
• amend
• restore
• dignify
• purify
• cleanse
• respect
• elevate
• ennoble
• uplift

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of dehumanize

My book was meant to highlight both the personal and societal issues of early literacy deprivation, while tracking the prescient issue of increasing screen time dumbing down and dehumanizing society. — Liza Lentini, SPIN, 21 July 2026

Nydia Cardenas, Democratic candidate for Precinct 4 County commissioner, said the Republican majority on the Commissioners Court dehumanize the people in the jail and decided that the deaths in the jail are not an issue. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2026

As Israel and the United States joined forces to attack Iran, and Israel pursued its proxies in Lebanon, rhetoric dehumanizing Jews also spiked. — Jackie Hajdenberg, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2026

Critics, however, accused lawmakers of dehumanizing migrants and weakening core protections. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2026