depersonalize

American  

[dee-pur-suh-nl-ahyz] / diˈpɜr sə nlˌaɪz /

especially British, depersonalise

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.

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depersonalize British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of depersonalize

First recorded in 1865–70; de- + personalize

Example Sentences

The French revolutionaries feared industrialization would depersonalize society by marginalizing skilled artisans.

From The Wall Street Journal

A May 2025 follow-up, “I’m Camera,” dealt with the depersonalizing effects of sudden attention.

From Los Angeles Times

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.

From Los Angeles Times

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.

From Salon

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

From Salon