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objectify
IPA:
Dictionary definition of objectify
To treat a person or group of people as if they are objects, rather than as individuals with their own thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
"The artist aimed to objectify the beauty of the female form in his paintings."
Detailed meaning of objectify
It is to reduce someone to an object, rather than acknowledging their humanity. Objectification is often associated with the way women are depicted in media and advertising, where they are often portrayed as sexual objects for the pleasure of the viewer. Objectification can also occur when someone is treated as a tool or instrument to be used for someone else's purposes, rather than being recognized as a person with their own needs and desires. This can happen in many forms of discrimination and dehumanization, such as racism, sexism and homophobia. Objectification can lead to a lack of empathy and a disregard for the well-being and dignity of the person or group being objectified. It can also lead to harmful stereotypes and discrimination, and it can be a contributing factor in many forms of violence.
Example sentences containing objectify
1. We must not allow society to objectify individuals based on their physical attributes.
2. Art can objectify emotions, turning them into tangible objects for people to perceive.
3. To objectify someone is to strip them of their unique human qualities.
4. Critics argue that these advertisements objectify women, reducing them to mere objects.
5. Certain cultural practices might unintentionally objectify a group of people, reinforcing stereotypes.
6. The mission of our organization is to fight against tendencies to objectify the marginalized.
History and etymology of objectify
The verb 'objectify' has its etymological roots in the Latin language, specifically in the word 'objectus,' which is the past participle of 'objicere,' meaning 'to throw before' or 'to present to the sight.' The prefix 'ob-' in Latin often signifies the act of facing or presenting something. When 'objectus' made its way into English, it took on the sense of treating a person or group of people as if they are objects, rather than recognizing them as individuals with their own thoughts, feelings, and experiences. The evolution of this term reflects the notion of reducing individuals to mere objects, stripping away their humanity and autonomy, a concept that has deep historical and societal implications.
Further usage examples of objectify
1. Unfortunately, the media sometimes tends to objectify celebrities, focusing more on their looks than their talents.
2. It is crucial to teach young people not to objectify others based on appearance.
3. Video games should not objectify characters; instead, they should represent them realistically and respectfully.
4. We must understand that it is harmful to objectify individuals based on their profession.
5. By simplifying complex ideas, we can sometimes unintentionally objectify them, losing their full meaning.
6. Our culture should strive to celebrate diversity, not objectify it.
7. The theory tries to objectify the subjective nature of beauty, but it has many critics.
8. It's a sign of a mature society when it stops trying to objectify its members.
9. Philosophers have argued for centuries over the potential to objectify truth.
10. It's important to remember that when you objectify someone, you deny their humanity.
11. Studies indicate that children who grow up in environments that objectify women tend to have distorted views about relationships.
12. The novel attempts to objectify the experiences of a soldier in the war, bringing it closer to readers.
13. To objectify poverty is to overlook the human stories behind the statistics.
14. It's inappropriate and harmful to objectify people based on their age, race, or gender.
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SAT 16 (Scholastic Assessment Test), Character Traits and Behavior, Prejudice and Bias
embody,exemplify,illustrate,personify
externalize,fetishize,symbolize,typify
Synonyms for objectify
Quiz categories containing objectify
dehumanize, personify, humanize, individualize
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