humanize
/ˈhjuːmənʌɪz
/(also humanise)
verb [with object]
1Make (something) more humane or civilized: his purpose was to humanize prison conditions...
- But modern humanity did not understand the civilizing and humanizing mission of higher learning.
- Indeed, such unofficial communication between hostile nations tends to humanize the enemy and improve the prospects for peace and cooperation.
- Many of us have been persuaded that cooperating with power is the only way to progressively enlighten and humanise power.
Synonyms
civilize, improve, better;
educate, enlighten, edify, instruct, sophisticate, socialize, refine, polish
informal rub the rough edges off
2Give (something) a human character: dogs are wonderful friends but why do we try to humanize them?...
- Movies are a good example of this, because in order to make a character exist in a film, you must necessarily personify and humanize that character.
- Public art could be part of an attempt to humanise our towns and cities, adding character to chain shops and traffic islands.
- I humanize the issue for people who think gay people are like aliens.
Derivatives
humanization
/ noun ...- Our material will be oriented toward helping children better understand the disease and to reduce the stigma associated with having HIV / AIDS and promote the humanization of those infected or affected.
- These shifts have helped create what experts say is one of the most prominent attitudinal drivers of pet industry growth: the increasing anthropomorphism, or humanization, of pets by their owners.
- This process leads to the humanization of the instructor and enables students to relate more easily to faculty members in a clinical environment.
Origin
Early 17th century: from French humaniser, from Latin humanus (see human).