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

The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan five years ago ushered in an era of dehumanizing restrictions for women and girls. — Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Aug. 2026

LeFlouria tells the story from the perspectives of a number of Black women through history, centering the specific humanity of victims of a system that seeks to dehumanize. — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2026

Everyone feels like they’re dehumanized by the process in a way that leads them to suspect there’s something monstrous about the whole endeavor. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 31 July 2026

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