as in to symbolize
disapproving
to treat (someone) as an object rather than as a person
She says beauty pageants objectify women.
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Recent Examples of objectify
We were objectified by most of our producers.
—
Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
Appropriation of surplus labor, objectified in commodities, drove the system.
—Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
Despite Martel’s intentions, the video was widely viewed as sexist and misogynistic, with many seeing the women as being objectified by the three male artists.
—Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 19 Sep. 2025
Typically, young boys aren’t objectified in the same way.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 13 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for objectify
Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
Appropriation of surplus labor, objectified in commodities, drove the system.
—Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
Despite Martel’s intentions, the video was widely viewed as sexist and misogynistic, with many seeing the women as being objectified by the three male artists.
—Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 19 Sep. 2025
Typically, young boys aren’t objectified in the same way.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 13 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for objectify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for objectify
Verb
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Across cultures and eras, the Moon has symbolized constancy, the comforting cycle of tides, months, fertility, and agriculture.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
2 Mar. 2026
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That jail, notoriously violent and corrupt, had symbolized the good-ol’-boy era of Nashville law enforcement, and the Downtown Detention Center was replacing it both physically and symbolically.—
James Verini,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Instead of depending solely on advanced aircraft and high-cost munitions, the Pentagon is incorporating lower-cost loitering systems that can sustain pressure over time.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Mar. 2026
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Medved also has adjusted to incorporating more screening off the ball to get shooters open, primarily Cade Tyson and Bobby Durkin.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The chasm between some top Democrats and AIPAC is illustrated by their respective statements on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Mar. 2026
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This enduring love is illustrated (literally) in the Margesherwood X Peanuts collaboration.—
Claire Salinda,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Objectify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/objectify. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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