as in manifestation
a visible representation of something abstract (as a quality)
a statue that is often cited as an objectification of the ancient Greeks' notion of beauty
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Recent Examples of objectification
Depicting the pop star on her knees in a dog-like pose while her hair is presumably being pulled by a male, the cover caused a stir on social media for what many felt looked like objectification.
—
Lina Lecaro, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2025
Exploring the misogyny of beauty pageants and its targeting of transwomen and the ongoing objectification of women, the contestants each called to the stage, presented by a very Vincent Price-seeming host representing the patriarchy.
—Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
To others, a symbol of degradation and objectification.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
Instead one was woken into an eternal godlike vigilance, as though the experience of objectification had in the end borne the fruit of objectivity.
—Rachel Cusk, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2025
Bringing nuance to our understanding of Asian fetishization, Yu unveils not only her victimization but her participation and, ultimately, her healing and empowerment from the brutality of objectification.
—Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2025
Lina Lecaro, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2025
Exploring the misogyny of beauty pageants and its targeting of transwomen and the ongoing objectification of women, the contestants each called to the stage, presented by a very Vincent Price-seeming host representing the patriarchy.
—Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
To others, a symbol of degradation and objectification.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
Instead one was woken into an eternal godlike vigilance, as though the experience of objectification had in the end borne the fruit of objectivity.
—Rachel Cusk, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2025
Bringing nuance to our understanding of Asian fetishization, Yu unveils not only her victimization but her participation and, ultimately, her healing and empowerment from the brutality of objectification.
—Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for objectification
Noun
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This cul-de-sac at the end of civilization feels like a physical manifestation of the loneliness Carol radiates even before the cataclysmic incident.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Given the disease’s wide range of trajectories and manifestations—from mild and manageable to severely disabling—some now regard it as a group of diseases, rather than a single one.—
Lucinda Rosenfeld,
New Yorker,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Other companies, such as BlackSky and Maxar, are providing their own electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) imagery—that is, images in the visible and infrared light spectrums—commercially.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
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Cinemark will also upgrade its remaining 12 Imax screens to Imax with Laser, a 4K laser projection system developed to deliver the clearest images and best audio through proprietary technology.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Objectification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/objectification. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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