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
-
When the No Kings protest came in June — organized by the national protest group 50501, symbolizing 50 protests in 50 states for one movement — Indivisible Northwest Valley was ready with seven sites that Peak said drew between 5,000 and 6,000 people.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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The artist used a unique short video to tease the album on social media before its release, symbolizing Cole's status as a successful artist who still enjoys many of the same tasks and experiences as average Americans.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The additional data was incorporated into TV ratings starting in September.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Each arm incorporates multiple servo motors arranged to provide precise, coordinated movement.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Other experts said the subject’s movement could illustrate a lack of urgency.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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The singer stood next to a set of faux power lines onstage, which quickly exploded to illustrate the island's frequent power outages.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Objectify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/objectify. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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