humanize JUST WRITTEN FOR YOU

/ˈhjuː.mə.naɪz/ · hu·ma·nize
verb
  1. To make something or someone possess the qualities of a human being, especially consciousness, emotion, or agency. The filmmaker used CGI to humanize the robot, giving it facial expressions and a voice.
  2. To render a person, group, or situation more sympathetic, relatable, or understandable to others. The journalist’s profile of the refugee family helped humanize the immigration debate.
  3. To become humane, civilised, or morally refined; to adopt more compassionate behaviour. After years of conflict, the community began to humanize, focusing on reconciliation and mutual aid.
Did you know? The British spelling *humanise* is often used in academic writing, while the verb gained popular attention in the 21st century as AI developers strive to ‘humanize’ chatbots and virtual assistants.
Written by Lexi Wordsworth, Dictionary Editor 0 lookups Added Jul 14, 2026