impersonalize

Intermediate (B1)

IPA: /ɪmˈpɜːrsənəlaɪz/

KK: /ɪmˈpɜrsənəlaɪz/

transitive verb

Definition

To make something less personal or to remove personal feelings or characteristics from it.

Example

The company decided to impersonalize their customer service approach to ensure fairness.

Tense Forms

Past: impersonalized

Past Participle: impersonalized

Conversation

I feel like my writing is too personal for this assignment.

Maybe you should try to impersonalize it a bit more.

That sounds like a good idea; I’ll focus on the facts instead of my feelings.

Exactly! It will make your argument stronger.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

depersonalize

alienate

detach

Antonyms

personalize

connect

engage

Root Explanation

Impersonalize → It is formed from "im-" (meaning not) and "personal" (from Latin "personalis", meaning relating to a person) and the suffix "-ize" (meaning to make or to become). The word means to make something not personal or to remove personal characteristics.

Memory Tip

Think of 'not personal' ('im-') and 'relating to a person' ('personal') — when you impersonalize something, you are making it not personal.

Visually Confused Words