unperson

[uhn-pur-suhn]

noun

1. a public figure, especially in a totalitarian country, who, for political or ideological reasons, is not recognized or mentioned in government publications or records or in the news media.

2. a person accorded no recognition or consideration by another or by a specific group.

unperson

/ ˈʌnpɜːsən /

noun

1. a person whose existence is officially denied or ignored

Word History and Origins

Origin of unperson¹

un- ¹ + person; introduced in George Orwell's novel 1984 (1949)

Example Sentences

The claims turned him into a scientific “unperson,” in his words, and lost him sinecures at business and scientific institutions.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In an especially disgraceful article, Anthony Tomassini, then the classical music critic for the New York Times, took the money quotes completely out of context and effectively declared Stockhausen an unperson.

Read more on Salon

Instead, the BJP envisions a future in which India’s long-suffering Muslims, Christians, lower-caste Hindus and other religious minorities and tribes are formally relegated to the status of unpersons.

Read more on Washington Post

As an artistic unperson he is banned even from buying paints.

Read more on Economist

Two weeks after Mr Peng Chen, politburo member and Peking municipal leader, became an unperson, the campaign against anti-party plotters in China is still gathering momentum.

Read more on Economist