What does dehumanising mean?
Dehumanising refers to the process or tendency of reducing a person or group to a state of being treated as less than human. This can occur through degrading or humiliating treatment, and can have severe consequences for mental and physical health. Dehumanising can be used to describe a range of situations, from physical abuse to systemic oppression. It is often used in academic or journalistic writing to highlight the need for human rights or social justice. The term is closely related to concepts such as inhumanity and cruelty, and is often used interchangeably with these terms. However, dehumanising can also imply a more systemic or institutionalised approach to oppression, rather than simply individual acts of cruelty. As such, it is an important term for understanding the complexities of human rights and social justice.
Having or showing a tendency to reduce a person or group to a state of being treated as less than human.
"The dehumanising conditions in the refugee camp were a stark reminder of the need for humanitarian aid."
Dehumanising can be used to describe a range of situations, from physical abuse to systemic oppression.
To reduce a person or group to a state of being treated as less than human, often through degrading or humiliating treatment.
"The government's policies were dehumanising the poor, denying them access to basic services."
Dehumanising can be used in formal or informal contexts to describe a range of situations, from physical abuse to systemic oppression.
The plural form is used to describe multiple instances of dehumanising treatment or to refer to a group of people who have been dehumanised.
"The dehumanisings of the past century are a stark reminder of the need for human rights and social justice."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of dehumanising
The word dehumanising is derived from the prefix 'de-' meaning 'to remove' or 'to take away', and the word 'human' referring to a person or group. The term is closely related to the verb 'dehumanise', which means to reduce someone or something to a state of being treated as less than human. The word has its roots in the 19th century, when it was used to describe the effects of industrialisation and urbanisation on human relationships.
How dehumanising is actually used
Dehumanising can be used in formal or informal contexts to describe a range of situations, from physical abuse to systemic oppression. It is often used in academic or journalistic writing to highlight the need for human rights or social justice.