insane

adjective

in·​sane (ˌ)in-ˈsān 

1

a(1)

dated, now usually offensive : exhibiting a severely disordered state of mind

(2)

law : affected with insanity (see insanity sense 2)

criminally insane

b

: unable to think in a clear or sensible way

insane with jealousy

—not used technically

2

now usually offensive : used by, typical of, or intended for people having a severely disordered state of mind

an insane asylum

3

: absurd

an insane scheme for making money

4

: outrageously high or extreme

making insane amounts of money

The monster truck pursued him at insane speeds …

—Hunter S. Thompson

More than 22,000 athletes descend on Philadelphia's Franklin Field to chug insane amounts of Gatorade …

—Chris Ballard

also : exceptionally good or impressive

Minnesota … has blazed out to an insane start, taking an early lead in the Northwest Division.

—Tom Wheatley

With his rough-edged baritone and ear for insane hooks, [reggae singer] Baby Cham always sounds wicked.

—Rob Kenner

insaneness

(ˌ)in-ˈsān-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of insane

• mad
• maniacal
• crazy
• mental
• nuts

Examples of insane in a Sentence

The murderer was found to be criminally insane.

She was insane with jealousy.

He had an insane look in his eyes.

She likes to drive at insane speeds.

He had this insane idea that he could get rich by selling old computers.

Recent Examples on the Web

That everyone commits so fearlessly — and with such straight faces — to the Zellners’ berserk world-building is a joy to behold, aided by a terrific jukebox soundtrack and a chaotic, entropic plot that builds and builds to insane levels of carnage. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026

Sure, this sounds insane, but the real insanity is how much New York mismanages its education system and how little attention the problem receives in Albany. — Zilvinas "z" Silenas, New York Daily News, 14 Sep. 2026

Traditionally, the solution – aside from squaddies hauling insane loads on their backs – has been to use horses and mules to do the job. — New Atlas, 13 Sep. 2026

My first two videos each passed 100,000 views, which felt absolutely insane for a brand-new channel. — Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin insanus, from in- + sanus sane

First Known Use

1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing insane

• go insane
• insane asylum
• the insane

Rhymes for insane

• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
• arcane
• arraign
• attain
• backplane
• betaine
• biplane
• blockchain
• butane
• campaign

Kids Definition

insane

adjective

in·​sane (ˈ)in-ˈsān 

1

usually offensive : having or showing a severely disordered state of mind : not sane

—used especially in the past

an insane person

an insane look

2

usually offensive : used by or for people having a severely disordered state of mind

an insane ward in a hospital

3

: extremely foolish or unreasonable

an insane attempt

insanely adverb

Medical Definition

insane

adjective

in·​sane (ˈ)in-ˈsān 

1

dated, now usually offensive : exhibiting a severely disordered state of mind

2

law : affected with insanity (see insanity sense 2)

insanely adverb

Legal Definition

insane

adjective

in·​sane

: affected with insanity