What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
objectization
Example
The media's objectization of women perpetuates harmful stereotypes. [objectization: noun]
Example
He objectified her by only valuing her for her physical appearance. [objectified: verb]
reification
Example
The reification of love in popular culture has led to unrealistic expectations. [reification: noun]
Example
She reified her anxiety by imagining it as a monster she could fight. [reified: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Objectization is more commonly used than reification in everyday language, especially in discussions of gender and social justice issues. Reification is more commonly used in academic and philosophical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between objectization and reification?
Both objectization and reification are formal words, but reification is more commonly used in academic and philosophical contexts, while objectization is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
