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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of objectification
This is the cataloging and objectification of women's most private details.
—
Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
But Wainwright never gives us the chance to perceive them as quaint, which would just be a form of objectification.
—Judy Berman, Time, 14 Jan. 2026
Having all but officially secured a spot in the Winter Olympics, they were being asked their perspectives on a history steeped in stereotypes and even objectification.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
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
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
Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
But Wainwright never gives us the chance to perceive them as quaint, which would just be a form of objectification.
—Judy Berman, Time, 14 Jan. 2026
Having all but officially secured a spot in the Winter Olympics, they were being asked their perspectives on a history steeped in stereotypes and even objectification.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for objectification
Noun
-
An equally strong argument could be made that the dementia was the real cause because his actions are manifestations of his condition.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The result is a joyful and naturalistic celebration of the term’s many meanings and manifestations.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The plane, belonging to the Bolivian air force, was transporting money to La Paz, and images on social media showed people rushing to collect the bills scattered at the crash site, while police in riot gear tried to disperse the crowd.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
North Korea on Saturday released pictures showing leader Kim Jong Un and his teenage daughter at a rifle range, the latest propaganda images to promote the child touted as a potential successor.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Objectification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/objectification. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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