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depersonalize

especially British, de·per·son·al·ise

[dee-pur-suh-nl-ahyz]

verb (used with object)

depersonalized, depersonalizing 
  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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of depersonalize1

First recorded in 1865–70; de- + personalize
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Word History and Origins

Origin of depersonalize1

C19: from de- + personal + -ize
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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They veiled the stage in gauze on “Copy of A,” casting dozens of Reznor shadows while he strutted and howled about a despondent, depersonalized modernity.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But by depersonalizing death and making it into a rote spectacle, Perkins loses any heart that could give his film the resonance it so desperately needs.

Read more on Salon

But history also shows us what happens when we dehumanize, depersonalize.

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Dotting the history of fast-food are numerous examples of both corporate leaders and franchise owners steering their restaurants towards providing ostensibly more streamlined, though increasingly depersonalized, experiences.

Read more on Salon

Staging can be as simple as decluttering and depersonalizing a house while you’re still living there.

Read more on Seattle Times

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