as in psychotic
unable to think in a clear or sensible way
destined to become one of the nation's most notorious serial killers, he apparently became unhinged as a result of being abandoned as a young teen
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in disturbed
to cause to go insane or as if insane
the endless harassment by the guards completely unhinged the prisoners of war
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in alarmed
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
I was momentarily unhinged by the unexpected question
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unhinged
Aisha Harris, NPR, 21 June 2025
These unhinged policies aren’t working — and everyone could see it, except Vincent Schiraldi.
—Robin Grammer, Baltimore Sun, 19 June 2025
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 30 Nov. 2024
Sometimes, in its quest to frame both ends of the political spectrum as unhinged, the show verges on cartoonish.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 28 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for unhinged
Adjective
In very unhinged behavior, Lucy tracks Sophie down (after her boss expressly tells her the client doesn't want any contact whatsoever), and unsurprisingly, Sophie admonishes her for invading her privacy in an attempt to absolve her feelings of guilt.
—Aisha Harris, NPR, 21 June 2025
These unhinged policies aren’t working — and everyone could see it, except Vincent Schiraldi.
—Robin Grammer, Baltimore Sun, 19 June 2025
Verb
New Yorkers have had enough with a dangerous and endless loop whereby obviously unstable people cycle through the courts, jails and hospitals, then wind up untreated and unhinged back on the streets and subways.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 30 Nov. 2024
Sometimes, in its quest to frame both ends of the political spectrum as unhinged, the show verges on cartoonish.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 28 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for unhinged
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unhinged
Adjective
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The counselor also told police Trotman had had a previous psychotic break in which he was found wandering the woods.—
Peter Hermann,
Washington Post,
7 Feb. 2023
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Lewis prescribed Price anti-psychotic medication after a mental health referral Sept. 1.—
Thomas Saccente,
Arkansas Online,
17 Jan. 2023
Verb
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These five destinations show that sharing the shore with animals can be calm, safe and memorable for the right reasons when animals aren’t fed or disturbed.—
Emese Maczko,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Even the guards appeared to be disturbed.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Amanda learned in like 10 seconds, which is insane.—
Scott Roxborough,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Mar. 2025
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The emu egg—a two pound, eight-inch ovoid with a sultry teal shell gently speckled in pale green—seemed like just the right absurdist final flourish for an already insane endeavor.—
Helen Rosner,
The New Yorker,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Cameras captured her walking around on the grass before getting distracted and Jordan swooping her up to get to their next hole.—
Nasha Smith,
People.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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The one who got distracted by the minstrel did not finish last.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Marketing and advertising have undergone a similar shift from mad men to math men.—
Kian Bakhtiari,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
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People are very, very confused, and some people are very disappointed and mad.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 July 2025
Verb
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With the exception of the Russell 2000, which gained 1%, none of the major indices bothered to get out of bed the day after Christmas.—
JJ Kinahan,
Forbes,
27 Dec. 2024
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In fact, if you can’t be bothered even to reach for the remote to select this new button, the latest firmware update will also automatically start playing the next episode after a countdown.—
John Archer,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Trump didn’t invent that, but no other politician has ever devoted himself to widening that gulf between the two factions with such maniacal commitment.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
14 July 2025
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An evil clown turned serial killer who terrorizes a fictional New York City borough during Halloween and Christmas will join a maniacal lineup of murderers, mutants and monsters during this year’s Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
10 July 2025
Verb
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The business community is also bracing for potential impacts, with some worried that the new tolls could discourage shoppers and visitors, potentially leading to reduced foot traffic and sales in the affected areas.—
Jack Kelly,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
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Or be imprisoned by what everyone else is worried about.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
5 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unhinged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unhinged. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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