Definition of ANTHROPOMORPHIC (original) (raw)
1
: described or thought of as having a human form or human attributes
stories involving anthropomorphic animals
2
: ascribing human characteristics to nonhuman things
anthropomorphic supernaturalism
anthropomorphic beliefs about nature
anthropomorphically
adverb
Did you know?
As word lovers, we are endlessly fascinated by the uniqueness and complexity of human language. Many species use sounds and gestures to communicate with one another, but the ability to speak in full sentences, to share abstract ideas, and to write and tell stories is distinctly anthropic. Brilliant though dogs may be, they can’t verbalize their hopes and dreams. That is, unless those dogs are anthropomorphic—a trait common in works of fiction. From chatty chiweenies to tangoing tapirs, depictions of anthropomorphic animals abound thanks to our creative superpowers.
Examples of anthropomorphic in a Sentence
a story in which the characters are anthropomorphic animals
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Instead, the company must hope that the sight of an anthropomorphic organ will give viewers a taste for flavored coffee. —
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 4 Feb. 2025 Or Star Fox—the anthropomorphic space shooter last appeared with 2016's Star Fox Zero (one of the few Wii U games not to get a Switch rerelease), so a return is overdue. —Matt Kamen, WIRED, 31 Jan. 2025 The oddly adorable serial killer thriller featuring a cast of anthropomorphic animals in a Norman Rockwell-ish small town struck the right weird tone in a weird year. —Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025 As Shadow the Hedgehog, malice; as Neo and John Wick, dread; as Johnny Utah, woe; as Ted Logan, frolic — and now, as an anthropomorphic representation of Lumon, Keanu Reeves veers into the buoyantly propagandistic. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 18 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for anthropomorphic 
Word History
Etymology
Greek anthrōpómorphos "having human form" (from anthrōpo- anthropo- + -morphos -morphous) + -ic entry 1
First Known Use
1802, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of anthropomorphic was in 1802
Dictionary Entries Near anthropomorphic
Cite this Entry
“Anthropomorphic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anthropomorphic. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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Last Updated: 8 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences
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