impersonality

American  

[im-pur-suh-nal-i-tee] / ɪmˌpɜr səˈnæl ɪ ti /

noun

plural

impersonalities

1. absence of human character or of the traits associated with the human character.

   He feared the impersonality of a mechanized world.

2. absence or reduction of concern for individual needs or desires.

   the impersonality of a very large institution.

3. lack of emotional involvement.

   His work reflected a certain impersonality.

4. lack of a personal agent or of a known personal agent.

   the impersonality of folk art.

5. the quality of not being concerned with particular persons.

   the impersonality and universality of his interests.

6. something that is impersonal.

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Etymology

Origin of impersonality

First recorded in 1760–70; impersonal + -ity

Example Sentences

They exude a kind of lushness, avoiding the brittle impersonality and formal melodrama often found in her paintings.

From New York Times • Jul. 29, 2021

This myth is absurdly replicated in Adam’s own impersonality and detachment, his schematic and experientially void approach to the art that he admires.

From The New Yorker • Nov. 9, 2018

It was only a matter of time before the humans swarmed upon it and began projecting our own fears of unpopularity and impersonality.

From Slate • Jul. 20, 2018

Their stories, filtered through Cusk’s coolly detached, narcotically gorgeous writing, attain a kind of exalted impersonality.

From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2018

The impersonality of the written word made it the easiest means of exchange.

From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez