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anonymity

noun

an·​o·​nym·​i·​ty ˌa-nə-ˈni-mə-tē How to pronounce anonymity (audio)
plural anonymities
1
: the quality or state of being anonymous
enjoyed the anonymity of life in a large city
2
: one that is anonymous
a crowd of faceless anonymities

Examples of anonymity in a Sentence

They are trying to protect their child's anonymity. She enjoyed the anonymity of life in a large city.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The source requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the documents. Tom Bowman, NPR, 25 Nov. 2025 The Israeli sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, disclosed the group’s plan to end operations before Acree confirmed it. Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 24 Nov. 2025 The Supreme Court has traditionally sided with protecting the anonymity of donors to organizations as a key First Amendment protection, dating back to cases involving attempts to reveal the identities of donors to the NAACP in the 1950s. Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 23 Nov. 2025 Crime Stoppers offers complete anonymity; your name will never be asked, your call will never be traced, and your information will remain confidential. Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 22 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for anonymity

Word History

Etymology

anonym(ous) + -ity

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of anonymity was in 1820

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Anonymity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anonymity. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

anonymity

noun
an·​o·​nym·​i·​ty ˌan-ə-ˈnim-ət-ē How to pronounce anonymity (audio)
plural anonymities
: the quality or state of being anonymous

More from Merriam-Webster on anonymity

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