unperson

noun
un·​per·​son | \ ˈən-ˈpər-sᵊn How to pronounce unperson (audio) , -ˌpər- \

Definition of unperson

: an individual who usually for political or ideological reasons is removed completely from recognition or consideration

Examples of unperson in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In George Orwell’s novel 1984, an unperson is someone who has been expunged by the state, someone of whom all trace has been erased. Timothy Snyder, The New York Review of Books, "What Ails America," 3 Sep. 2020 In 1984, George Orwell created the concept of the unperson, someone who had been executed and of whose existence all records were erased. Charles P. Pierce, SI.com, "It's Time for the NCAA to Reinstate the Vacated Teams to College Basketball's Record Books," 1 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'unperson.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of unperson

1949, in the meaning defined above

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The first known use of unperson was in 1949

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Cite this Entry

“Unperson.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unperson. Accessed 12 Dec. 2020.

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