as in to symbolize
disapproving
to treat (someone) as an object rather than as a person
She says beauty pageants objectify women.
Related Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of objectify
Women were both empowered and objectified, deemed capable of being in charge but still overtly sexualized.
—
Thessaly La Force, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
Turns out that even being the perfect avatar doesn’t spare you from being objectified like a booth babe at a gun show.
—Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 6 Aug. 2025
And there's a character who could be seen as being objectified, but nothing overt.
—Devonne Goode, Parents, 11 July 2025
Typically, young boys aren’t objectified in the same way.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 13 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for objectify
Thessaly La Force, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
Turns out that even being the perfect avatar doesn’t spare you from being objectified like a booth babe at a gun show.
—Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 6 Aug. 2025
And there's a character who could be seen as being objectified, but nothing overt.
—Devonne Goode, Parents, 11 July 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
-
Putnam asserted that the long-term decline in social connection and civic engagement—symbolized in his book by the fact that the number of people participating in bowling leagues has fallen off a cliff—is the core issue facing America.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The seal symbolizes the monarch's approval of state documents, meaning the decision is now official, legal and final.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Other corporations began to fear that Delaware might no longer be the best place to incorporate.—
Geoff Colvin,
Fortune,
7 Nov. 2025
-
And despite incorporating the EMALS technology, two former US carrier officers told CNN last month that the Fujian’s air operations may still run at only about 60% the rate of a 50-year-old US Navy carrier due to the configuration of the carrier’s flight deck.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Emailing or texting similar job postings can help to illustrate what an IT pro is looking for.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The exchange illustrated that tensions remain high in Congress as the government shutdown continues into its 37th day.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Objectify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/objectify. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share