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 The depersonalization scores were largely the same across all three groups. Elizabeth Yuko, Health, 26 Sep. 2024 About 3 out of 4 adults in the United States will experience a depersonalization episode once in their lives, but only 2% of them will develop depersonalization disorder. Carrie Madormo, Rn, Mph, Health, 3 July 2024 People with dissociative psychiatric conditions such as derealization or depersonalization syndrome report that their perceptual worlds, even their own selves, lack a sense of reality. Anil K. Seth, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2019 Frequently Asked Questions How is depersonalization different from depersonalization disorder? Carrie Madormo, Rn, Mph, Health, 3 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for depersonalization 

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 11 Oct. 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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