'dehumanize' originates from modern English, formed with the prefix 'de-' (from Latin) + 'humanize' (from French 'humaniser' and Latin 'humanus'), where 'de-' meant 'removal' and 'humanus' meant 'human'.

'dehumanize' developed in English in the 19th century influenced by French 'déshumaniser' and by the formation pattern of verbs with '-ize' (from French/Latin); it became established as 'dehumanize' (US) / 'dehumanise' (UK).

Initially coined to mean 'to strip of human qualities' (the same core idea), its use broadened to describe many social, political, and psychological processes that portray people as less than human.