Word
objectification
Phoneticsob·jec·ti·fi·ca·tion
UK/ɒbdʒˌɛktɪfɪkˈeɪʃən/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. treating a person as a thing or tool, not as a human with feelings and choices. You see it when ads or stories focus only on looks or body parts.
n. reduction of a person to the status of an object or instrument, denying individual agency and subjectivity. Central to feminist theory and media criticism, especially regarding sexualized representation.
Examples
“Ads like that lead to the objectification of women.”
“The campaign criticizes music videos for the objectification of dancers shown only for their appearance.”
“Scholars argue that persistent objectification in advertising narrows public perception, teaching viewers to value people for appearance rather than character or ability.”
Examples
simple
“Ads like that lead to the objectification of women.”
contextual
“The campaign criticizes music videos for the objectification of dancers shown only for their appearance.”
complex
“Scholars argue that persistent objectification in advertising narrows public perception, teaching viewers to value people for appearance rather than character or ability.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “objectification” in context.
Verb
01. challenge objectification
“Students organized a workshop to challenge objectification in campus media.”
verb + noun
02. condemn objectification
“Critics swiftly condemned objectification in the controversial advertisement.”
verb + noun
03. objectification dehumanizes
“Objectification dehumanizes individuals by reducing them to physical appearance.”
noun + verb
04. objectification harms
“Research shows objectification harms self-esteem and mental health.”
noun + verb
05. objectification persists
“Despite progress on equality, objectification persists in popular culture.”
noun + verb
06. perpetuate objectification
“Such reality shows perpetuate objectification by judging contestants only on looks.”
verb + noun
07. resist objectification
“She encourages young women to resist objectification and value their abilities.”
verb + noun
Adjective
08. blatant objectification
“The film was criticized for its blatant objectification of female characters.”
adj + noun
09. pervasive objectification
“She wrote an essay on the pervasive objectification of women on social media.”
adj + noun
Noun
10. culture of objectification
“Social media influencers can contribute to a culture of objectification.”
noun + prep + noun
11. experience of objectification
“Many models describe the daily experience of objectification at castings.”
noun + prep + noun
12. form of objectification
“Focusing only on body shape is a damaging form of objectification.”
noun + prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“The sexualisation, the objectification of women in this way was basically saying to all of us that what mattered, frankly, were our breasts not our brains," said opposition Labour member of parliament (MP) Stella Creasy.” “Yet, considering the patriarchal customs of her home country, Uganda, the themes she explores become even more contentious: the objectification of women and their sexual fulfillment.” “The casual objectification of women—using language that would be deemed unacceptable in mixed company—often served to bond us.” Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
NOUN
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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