unperson
noun
un·per·son
ˈən-ˈpər-sᵊn 
-ˌpər-
: 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, 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, 1 Apr. 2018
Timothy Snyder, The New York Review of Books, 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, 1 Apr. 2018
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unperson.' 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
1949, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near unperson
Cite this Entry
“Unperson.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unperson. Accessed 30 Sep. 2023.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share