rehumanize
Make human again
To rehumanize is to restore human qualities, dignity, or individuality to someone or something that has been dehumanized.
The word appears in discussions of war, incarceration, and systemic oppression—contexts where people have been reduced to numbers, enemies, or stereotypes: The program aims to rehumanize inmates by connecting them with their families.
It also applies to restoring warmth to impersonal systems: We need to rehumanize healthcare.
Sharing another's emotions
- kindnessConsiderate, caring disposition
- dignityInnate personal worth
- respectRegard with honor
- understandingMental comprehension of something
connection · caring · warmth · sensitivity · gentleness · solidarity · tenderness · listening
Reducing humans to things
- alienationState of being isolated
- bureaucracyRigid administrative system
- institutionalizationEstablishing as norm or standard
- depersonalizationDetachment from one's identity
commodification · exploitation · oppression · marginalization · invisibility · othering · deindividuation · mechanization
Promoting return to health
- reconciliationRestoration of friendly relations
- reparationCompensation for injury done
- amnestyGroup pardon from authorities
- clemencyMerciful treatment of offenders
mercy · pardon · restitution · accountability · truth-telling · community · ubuntu · forgiveness
Restoration of health
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
- renewalMaking current again
- reclamationRecovery of something lost
- reconnectionRestoring a broken link
wholeness · regeneration · revival · reawakening · mending · rejuvenation · rehabilitation · reintegration
Improve by correcting faults
- changeTo make different
- shiftMovement or work period
- awakeningReturn to consciousness
- growthIncrease in size
evolution · conversion · revolution · paradigm · reframing · consciousness · mindset · perspective
empathy
Sharing another's emotions
understanding · connection · caring · warmth · sensitivity · gentleness · solidarity · tenderness · listening · consideration
objectification
Reducing humans to things
- alienationState of being isolated
- bureaucracyRigid administrative system
- institutionalizationEstablishing as norm or standard
depersonalization · commodification · exploitation · oppression · marginalization · invisibility · othering · deindividuation · mechanization · automation
restorative
Promoting return to health
- reconciliationRestoration of friendly relations
- reparationCompensation for injury done
- amnestyGroup pardon from authorities
clemency · mercy · pardon · restitution · accountability · truth-telling · community · ubuntu · forgiveness · grace
healing
Restoration of health
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
- renewalMaking current again
- reclamationRecovery of something lost
reconnection · wholeness · regeneration · revival · reawakening · mending · rejuvenation · rehabilitation · reintegration · rebuilding
reform
Improve by correcting faults
growth · evolution · conversion · revolution · paradigm · reframing · consciousness · mindset · perspective · cultural
rehumanizedehumanize
Strip of dignity
dehumanise · degrade · objectify · depersonalize · debase
rehumanizemechanize
Equip with machines
roboticize · automate · deindividualize · anonymize · alienate