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
Whether beauty pageants — events that, almost by definition, objectify women — should have any role in today’s world is a matter of debate.
—
Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025
We were objectified by most of our producers.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 3 Oct. 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
In metaphysics, disease is understood to be fears and false beliefs objectified physically.
—Evan Mehlenbacher, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for objectify
Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025
We were objectified by most of our producers.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 3 Oct. 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
In metaphysics, disease is understood to be fears and false beliefs objectified physically.
—Evan Mehlenbacher, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for objectify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for objectify
Verb
-
Connecting Venice and Shanghai Through Water and Technology Each of the three vessels represents birth, growth and rebirth—or reincarnation, a central Buddhist concept—symbolized respectively by the colors yellow, red and blue.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
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The bird has long symbolized American values like strength, freedom and independence, said Kochersperger.—
Sarah Raza,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2026
Verb
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For casual mariners like me, an increasing number of small ships are now incorporating sails both for ambiance and fuel efficiency.—
Jane Woolridge,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 May 2026
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Lyrics and visual elements from that album and others are incorporated into T-shirts, hats and other pieces.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Sometimes the decision is obvious, necessitated by the availability of gravitational slingshots from planets, as illustrated by the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 missions.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
19 May 2026
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First, a dating story that illustrates this dynamic.—
Greg Rosalsky,
NPR,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Objectify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/objectify. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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