objectify
/ɒbˈdʒɛkt.ɪ.faɪ/ · ob.jec.ti.fy
verb
- To make something (such as an abstract idea) possible to be perceived by the senses. The artist's use of vibrant colors helped to objectify the emotions she was trying to convey in her painting.
- To treat as something objectively real. The scientist's data helped to objectify the phenomenon, making it easier to study and understand.
- To treat as a mere object and deny the dignity of. The way the media objectified the celebrities, focusing only on their physical appearance, was criticized for being dehumanizing.
Did you know? The concept of objectification has been explored in various fields, including philosophy, psychology, and sociology, with notable thinkers such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir contributing to the discussion.