What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dehumanized
Example
The prisoners were dehumanized by their captors, who treated them like animals. [dehumanized: verb]
Example
The constant violence and trauma had left her feeling dehumanized and numb. [dehumanized: adjective]
depersonalized
Example
After the accident, she felt depersonalized and disconnected from her body. [depersonalized: adjective]
Example
The stress of work had caused him to become depersonalized, losing touch with his own feelings and needs. [depersonalized: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dehumanized is more commonly used than depersonalized in everyday language, especially in discussions of social justice or human rights. Depersonalized is a more technical term used primarily in psychology or psychiatry.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between dehumanized and depersonalized?
Both words are formal and may not be familiar to beginner ESL learners. However, dehumanized is more likely to be encountered in news articles, documentaries, or academic texts, while depersonalized is more likely to be encountered in psychology or medical contexts.
