anthropomorphism
noun
an·thro·po·mor·phism ˌan(t)-thrə-pə-ˈmȯr-ˌfi-zəm 
: an interpretation of what is not human or personal in terms of human or personal characteristics : humanization
Children's stories have a long tradition of anthropomorphism.
anthropomorphist
ˌan(t)-thrə-pə-ˈmȯr-fist
noun 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web So, that sound is a sophisticated mix of some really interesting pieces curated to invoke serious tones of sci-fi, anthropomorphism, menace, otherworldly and so on. 
Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2022 But Van Wassenbergh also suspects that many researchers have been misled by a simple form of anthropomorphism. Ed Yong, The Atlantic, 14 July 2022 In this way and many others, recent research has revealed, trees are spellbinding, rife for anthropomorphism. Lauren Markham, Wired, 9 Oct. 2021 Perhaps at this point anthropomorphism is elevated into empathy. Peter Keough, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Mar. 2021 This enterprise may be suspected of anthropomorphism—the projection onto animals of our own thoughts and feelings. Robert O. Paxton, The New York Review of Books, 25 Feb. 2021 Some have explored this in questions of anthropomorphism, others in discussions about the anthropocene. Deboki Chakravarti, Scientific American, 3 Sep. 2021 The article presented these anecdotes wryly, for the most part, as instances of harmless anthropomorphism, but the same instinct was already driving public policy. Meghan O'gieblyn, Wired, 24 Aug. 2021 Nicholas Epley, a professor of behavioral science at the University of Chicago, is an expert on anthropomorphism, or attributing humanlike characteristics to non-humans. Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2021 See More
Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2022 But Van Wassenbergh also suspects that many researchers have been misled by a simple form of anthropomorphism. Ed Yong, The Atlantic, 14 July 2022 In this way and many others, recent research has revealed, trees are spellbinding, rife for anthropomorphism. Lauren Markham, Wired, 9 Oct. 2021 Perhaps at this point anthropomorphism is elevated into empathy. Peter Keough, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Mar. 2021 This enterprise may be suspected of anthropomorphism—the projection onto animals of our own thoughts and feelings. Robert O. Paxton, The New York Review of Books, 25 Feb. 2021 Some have explored this in questions of anthropomorphism, others in discussions about the anthropocene. Deboki Chakravarti, Scientific American, 3 Sep. 2021 The article presented these anecdotes wryly, for the most part, as instances of harmless anthropomorphism, but the same instinct was already driving public policy. Meghan O'gieblyn, Wired, 24 Aug. 2021 Nicholas Epley, a professor of behavioral science at the University of Chicago, is an expert on anthropomorphism, or attributing humanlike characteristics to non-humans. Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Greek anthrōpómorphos "having human form" + -ism — more at anthropomorphic
First Known Use
1650, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
anthropomorphism
noun
an·thro·po·mor·phism ˌan(t)-thrə-pə-ˈmȯr-ˌfiz-əm
: an interpretation of what is not human or personal in terms of human or personal characteristics compare theriomorphism