What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
inhumanize
Example
The prison conditions were so bad that they seemed to inhumanize the inmates. [inhumanize: verb]
Example
The war had a way of inhumanizing even the most compassionate soldiers. [inhumanizing: gerund or present participle]
dehumanize
Example
The propaganda campaign was designed to dehumanize the enemy and make them easier to kill. [dehumanize: verb]
Example
The slave trade was a brutal system that sought to dehumanize its victims. [dehumanizing: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dehumanize is more commonly used than inhumanize in everyday language, especially in discussions of social justice, human rights, and political oppression.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between inhumanize and dehumanize?
Inhumanize may be considered more formal or academic than dehumanize, which is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
