anthropopathism

noun

an·thro·po·pa·thism ˌan(t)-thrə-ˈpä-pə-ˌthi-zəm -pō-ˈpa-ˌthi-

: the ascription of human feelings to something not human

Word History

Etymology

Greek anthrōpopathḗs "having human feelings" (from anthrōpo- anthropo- + -pathēs "experiencing, undergoing") + -ism — more at -path

First Known Use

1655, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of anthropopathism was in 1655

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

anthropopathic

anthropopathism

anthropopathite

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Anthropopathism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anthropopathism. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

anthropopathism

noun

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

perfunctory

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes