depersonalize

[ dee-pur-suh-nl-ahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, de·per·son·al·ized, de·per·son·al·iz·ing.

1. to make impersonal.
2. to deprive of personality or individuality:

   a mechanistic society that is depersonalizing its members.

depersonalize

/ dɪˈpɜːsnəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to deprive (a person, organization, system, etc) of individual or personal qualities; render impersonal
2. to cause (someone) to lose his sense of personal identity

Word History and Origins

Origin of depersonalize¹

First recorded in 1865–70; de- + personalize

Word History and Origins

Origin of depersonalize¹

C19: from de- + personal + -ize

Example Sentences

This belief runs counter to modern thought, governed as it is by the tendency to depersonalize existence.

From Project Gutenberg

In them the whole effort of the speaker was really to restrain, to moderate, to depersonalize the voice of faith.

From Project Gutenberg

In thus universalizing my moral will, I wholly depersonalize it.

From Project Gutenberg