depersonalization

noun

de·​per·​son·​al·​i·​za·​tion (ˌ)dē-ˌpər-snə-lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce depersonalization (audio)
-ˌpər-sə-nə-lə-
1
a
: an act or process of depersonalizing
b
: the quality or state of being depersonalized
2
: a psychopathological syndrome characterized by loss of identity and feelings of unreality and strangeness about one's own behavior

Examples of depersonalization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web There’s also a depersonalization process, during which photos and some furniture might be taken down. Blake Bakkila, Sunset Magazine, 14 Mar. 2024 Striking the right balance Critics may express concerns about the potential depersonalization of financial advice with the increasing role of AI. Bob Rubin, Fortune, 5 Jan. 2024 But on the other hand, companies that are implementing more technology, such as chatbots and automated responses, risk the depersonalization of customer service, which is a must in this industry. Liz Tsai, Forbes, 27 June 2022 Burnout, characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and a diminished sense of personal accomplishment, can significantly impact the well-being and quality of care provided by HCPs. Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 5 July 2023 Her parents, who were both doctors, realized that Sophie was describing episodes of depersonalization—also called derealization—a serious psychiatric symptom in which a person becomes detached from their own reality and begins to doubt whether the world around them is real. Mike Mariani, Wired, 16 Aug. 2022 And for decades she was treated with the blunt instruments of old-school psychiatry — the tropes of Freud, electroshock therapy — before receiving a diagnosis only a few years ago of depersonalization disorder, a response to trauma in which the sufferer loses her sense of self. New York Times, 15 Apr. 2021 Michels said depersonalization or feeling as if one is in a video game is common. Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive, 19 Mar. 2023 Some of these symptoms may mimic PTSD, says Schwanz, like hypervigilance and depersonalization. Alex Orlando, Discover Magazine, 14 July 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'depersonalization.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of depersonalization was in 1906

Dictionary Entries Near depersonalization

Cite this Entry

“Depersonalization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depersonalization. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

depersonalization

noun
de·​per·​son·​al·​iza·​tion
variants or British depersonalisation
: the act or process of causing or the state resulting from loss of the sense of personal identity
especially : a psychopathological syndrome characterized by loss of identity and feelings of unreality or strangeness about one's own behavior
depersonalize transitive verb
depersonalized or British depersonalised; depersonalizing or British depersonalising

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