as in manifestation
a visible representation of something abstract (as a quality)
a statue that is often cited as an objectification of the ancient Greeks' notion of beauty
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Recent Examples of objectification
All that thinking has only strengthened my conviction that learning to love your face without objectification is a powerful way to counteract the damaging and distressing messages from a beauty culture that prizes youthfulness and hypersexuality.
—
Valerie Monroe, Allure, 10 Dec. 2025
The organization has struggled with declining viewership and financial instability in recent years, as well as broader questions around relevance, objectification and inclusivity in the modern age.
—NPR, 21 Nov. 2025
Depicting the pop star on her knees in a dog-like pose while her hair is presumably being pulled by a male, the cover caused a stir on social media for what many felt looked like objectification.
—Lina Lecaro, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2025
Exploring the misogyny of beauty pageants and its targeting of transwomen and the ongoing objectification of women, the contestants each called to the stage, presented by a very Vincent Price-seeming host representing the patriarchy.
—Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
To others, a symbol of degradation and objectification.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
Instead one was woken into an eternal godlike vigilance, as though the experience of objectification had in the end borne the fruit of objectivity.
—Rachel Cusk, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2025
Bringing nuance to our understanding of Asian fetishization, Yu unveils not only her victimization but her participation and, ultimately, her healing and empowerment from the brutality of objectification.
—Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2025
Valerie Monroe, Allure, 10 Dec. 2025
The organization has struggled with declining viewership and financial instability in recent years, as well as broader questions around relevance, objectification and inclusivity in the modern age.
—NPR, 21 Nov. 2025
Depicting the pop star on her knees in a dog-like pose while her hair is presumably being pulled by a male, the cover caused a stir on social media for what many felt looked like objectification.
—Lina Lecaro, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2025
Exploring the misogyny of beauty pageants and its targeting of transwomen and the ongoing objectification of women, the contestants each called to the stage, presented by a very Vincent Price-seeming host representing the patriarchy.
—Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
To others, a symbol of degradation and objectification.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
Instead one was woken into an eternal godlike vigilance, as though the experience of objectification had in the end borne the fruit of objectivity.
—Rachel Cusk, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2025
Bringing nuance to our understanding of Asian fetishization, Yu unveils not only her victimization but her participation and, ultimately, her healing and empowerment from the brutality of objectification.
—Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for objectification
Noun
-
Consciously choosing the design of this polish, applying it calmly, and visualizing your wishes for the new year transforms the manicure into an act of self-care and manifestation.—
Andrea Carbajal,
Glamour,
6 Jan. 2026
-
In the Eastern rites of the Catholic Church, Theophany, which the holiday is often called in Eastern countries, celebrates the manifestation of Jesus’ divinity in addition to his baptism, according to The Catholic Witness.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The size can easily be adjusted by simply moving the projector closer to or farther away from the surface upon which the image is projected.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
-
This structure can diffract light and degrade image quality.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Objectification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/objectification. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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