humanize

Humanize is a verb meaning to make something more humane, sympathetic, or relatable; to attribute human characteristics to nonhuman things; and to present information in a way that emphasizes human concerns. It can refer to increasing emotional appeal, accessibility, or familiarity in communication, design, or policy.

In communication and media, humanizing involves adding personal narratives, emotions, or everyday language to help audiences connect with subjects. In design and technology, human-centered design aims to humanize interfaces and services by focusing on users' needs, context, and limitations, reducing cognitive load and improving trust. In public discourse and policy, humanizing a topic means framing issues around people affected, rather than abstract statistics. In branding and marketing, it describes efforts to make products and organizations feel approachable and trustworthy through storytelling, transparent voice, and emphasis on real user experiences.

The word derives from human plus -ize and contrasts with dehumanize. Related concepts include humane, humane design, anthropomorphism, personification, and empathy. While techniques that humanize can foster understanding and engagement, overuse or misleading attempts may backfire if they exaggerate or distort reality, or create false impressions of agency. Overall, humanization seeks to bridge gaps between complex subjects and human audiences by foregrounding people and their lived experiences.