PsychologyAugust 25, 2026

dehumanizes

dee-HYOO-muh-ny-ziz

Definition

To deprive a person or group of positive human qualities, rights, or dignity, often to make them seem lesser or easier to exploit.

Etymology

Derived from the prefix 'de-' meaning 'to remove' or 'reverse,' combined with 'human' and the suffix '-ize,' which creates a verb meaning 'to make human.' It first appeared in English in the mid-19th century.

In the news

The article uses this term to describe how colonial systems psychologically strip away the humanity of both the oppressor and the oppressed to perpetuate cycles of violence and control.

Colonial Violence Explained: New Model Links Neuroscience, Greed, and Systemic Oppression

Read the full article ↗

ABC NEWS NEPAL

Related words

alexithymia

A condition characterized by significant difficulty in identifying, processing, and…

Psychology

blessedness

A state of spiritual joy, divine favor, or profound, enduring well-being that transcends…

Psychology

equanimity

Mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult or highly…

Psychology

freethinkers

Individuals who form their own opinions based on reason and evidence, rather than relying…

Psychology

intrapersonal

Occurring within the mind or self of an individual, as opposed to between people.

Psychology

introjection

The psychological process by which an individual unconsciously incorporates the ideas,…

Psychology

Learn words like this every day

Meet new words every morning.

Newspoken pulls carefully chosen words from the day’s news — with clear definitions, context, and light review that makes them stick. Get it on your phone.