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
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
Women were both empowered and objectified, deemed capable of being in charge but still overtly sexualized.
—Thessaly La Force, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
And there's a character who could be seen as being objectified, but nothing overt.
—Devonne Goode, Parents, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for objectify
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
Women were both empowered and objectified, deemed capable of being in charge but still overtly sexualized.
—Thessaly La Force, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
And there's a character who could be seen as being objectified, but nothing overt.
—Devonne Goode, Parents, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for objectify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for objectify
Verb
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They were deemed thugs and animals, and were said to symbolize all that was wrong with America’s cities as well as with the liberals who had enabled the city’s poor, lazy, and criminal elements.—
Heather Ann Thompson,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
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Their clothes are smeared with mud, symbolizing the earthy, devotional spirit of the journey.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Both Berry and Markle’s takes on minimalist outerwear harkens back to a certain style evocative of 1990s minimalism, where playful proportions and some nods to tailoring incorporated into statement coats.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
3 Feb. 2026
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The ensuing story—consisting entirely of letters among artists, courtiers, and religious leaders—is a wild ride through the politics and intrigue of Renaissance Italy that incorporates real historical figures.—
Bekah Waalkes,
The Atlantic,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi illustrates how constitutional authoritarianism can be fused with majoritarian identity rather than relying solely on executive prerogative.—
Alejandro Reyes,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
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The exchange illustrated Halverson’s point about the dangers of people carrying and shooting guns on college campuses, and also carried the weight of the two men’s experiences handling guns.—
Seth Tupper,
States Newsroom,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Objectify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/objectify. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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