impersonal
adjective
im·per·son·al
(ˌ)im-ˈpər-sə-nəl 
-ˈpərs-nəl
1
a
: having no personal reference or connection
impersonal criticism
b
: not engaging the human personality or emotions
the machine as compared with the hand tool is an impersonal agency—
John Dewey
John Dewey
c
: not existing as a person : not having human qualities or characteristics
2
a
: denoting the verbal action of an unspecified agent and hence used with no expressed subject (such as methinks) or with a merely formal subject (such as rained in it rained)
b
of a pronoun
: indefinite
Examples of impersonal in a Sentence
We discussed the weather and other impersonal topics.
He maintained an impersonal, professional attitude.
“Rained” in “it rained” is an impersonal verb.
Recent Examples on the Web
While impersonal, many companies provide comprehensive resources on their HR platforms.
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025
Enhancing Decision-Making by Merging Data and Narrative Data is vital to decision-making, but numbers alone can feel impersonal or overwhelming.
—Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
That film, which tells a bitter story of a killing and a coverup and features an emotionally scarred protagonist, seems impersonal and externalized—as if soaked in Hollywood’s industrial varnish.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 29 Nov. 2024
In addition to turning formerly C-list Marvel characters like Drax the Destroyer into global icons, Gunn is one of the few filmmakers who were able to imprint his own distinct style and tastes into this massive franchise that can too often feel (especially lately) a bit impersonal.
—Christian Holub, EW.com, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for impersonal 
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Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025
Enhancing Decision-Making by Merging Data and Narrative Data is vital to decision-making, but numbers alone can feel impersonal or overwhelming.
—Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
That film, which tells a bitter story of a killing and a coverup and features an emotionally scarred protagonist, seems impersonal and externalized—as if soaked in Hollywood’s industrial varnish.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 29 Nov. 2024
In addition to turning formerly C-list Marvel characters like Drax the Destroyer into global icons, Gunn is one of the few filmmakers who were able to imprint his own distinct style and tastes into this massive franchise that can too often feel (especially lately) a bit impersonal.
—Christian Holub, EW.com, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for impersonal
Dictionary Entries Near impersonal
Cite this Entry
“Impersonal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impersonal. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
impersonal
adjective
im·per·son·al
(ˈ)im-ˈpərs-nəl
-ᵊn-əl
1
: having no expressed subject or no subject other than "it"
"rained" in "it rained" is an impersonal verb
2
: not personal:
a
: not showing or involving personal feelings : detached
an impersonal professional attitude
b
: not caring about individual persons or their feelings
cold impersonal cities
a giant impersonal corporation
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