What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
depersonalize
Example
After the traumatic event, she felt like she was depersonalizing and couldn't recognize herself. [depersonalize: verb]
Example
He used depersonalization as a coping mechanism to deal with his anxiety. [depersonalization: noun]
deindividualize
Example
The protesters were deindividualizing and acting more aggressively as part of the crowd. [deindividualize: verb]
Example
The study found that deindividualization can lead to a decrease in moral behavior. [deindividualization: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Depersonalize is more commonly used than deindividualize in everyday language, especially in psychology and mental health contexts. Deindividualize is less common and is mostly used in sociology and group dynamics contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between depersonalize and deindividualize?
Both depersonalize and deindividualize have a formal tone due to their clinical and sociological connotations. However, depersonalize may be more commonly used in formal settings due to its prevalence in mental health and psychology fields.
