Question

What is the opposite of anthropomorphism?

Answer 1

Depending on how you define the opposite of anthropomorphism, it could be one of a few words. I suggest zoomorphism, dehumanize, and deanthropomorphism as possibilities.

Explanation:

Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human-like qualities onto non-human subjects, such as inanimate objects, plants, animals, and the like.

There would then be a couple of different ways we could find a word meaning the opposite. One would be a word that refers to the attribution of animal-like qualities onto a human. That word is zoomorphism. Examples include calling someone a "dirty dog", a "skunk", a "snake", etc.

Another way to take the opposite would be to have a word that refers to the removal of human-like traits from a human. That word is dehumanize.

The last way I can see an opposite is by finding a word that refers to the removal of human-like traits from non-humans. I think the best word for that would be deanthropomorphism

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=430099
http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/115614/word-for-ascribing-animal-like-mentality-to-humans-opposite-of-anthropomorphize