Humanizes

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To infuse a non-human subject with characteristics or emotions typically associated with humans
2. To endow an idea or an object with relatable human traits, enhancing its emotional connection
3. To give non-human things characteristics or feelings typical of people

Etymology: The verb "humanize" is a straightforward formation: English took the adjective "human" (from Latin "humanus," via Old French "humain" and Middle English "humayne") and added the suffix "-ize." That suffix passed into English through Middle French "-iser" and Middle English "-isen," ultimately traceable to Late Latin "-izare" and the Ancient Greek "-izein" family, where it formed verbs meaning "to make into" or "to treat in the manner of" something. So the verb's core sense is literally "to make human-like." The "-ize" ending is what does the work here. Adding it to a noun or adjective produces a verb that turns the base into something or gives it a quality, which is why "humanize" can mean making people more relatable and, in the sense used here, attributing human traits to things that are not human. Its sibling "humane" (from the same Latin root) is an older English word from the same source, with its own separate path into the language.

Synonyms: personalizes, empowers, enlightens, humorizes, civilizes

Antonyms: dehumanizes, objectifies, alienates, isolates, demonizes