impersonality

noun

im·​personality (¦)im How to pronounce impersonality (audio)
əm+
1
: the lack or absence of a personal or human character
the impersonality of natural law
2
: the quality or state of not involving personal feelings or the emotions or of being unemotional and disinterested
marveled at the impersonality of the thinking of so passionate a man
the emotional detachment and impersonality required of a good playwrightLeslie Rees
so much impersonality, so much coldness and emphasis on techniqueManny Farber
3
a
: the quality or state of not involving, not being activated by, or not tracing to a personal agent
the impersonality of the popular ballad
the impersonality of the machine
b
: a quality or state marked by an absence or suppression of human expression or a minimizing of the significance of personality
the impersonality of society
the impersonality of the world money market
c
: the quality of not bearing on only a single or a particular person
the impersonality, the universality of his remarks
4
: something impersonal
forced to deal with impersonalities such as the state or the law

Word History

Etymology

impersonal entry 1 + -ity

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Cite this Entry

“Impersonality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impersonality. Accessed 22 Dec. 2025.

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