bedlam

noun bed·lam \ ˈbed-ləm \

|Updated on: 12 Jul 2018

Examples: bedlam in a Sentence

Definition of bedlam

1 obsolete : madman, lunatic

2 or Bedlam : an asylum for the mentally ill

3 : a place, scene, or state of uproar and confusion

There was bedlam in the streets after the verdict was announced.

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Examples of bedlam in a Sentence

The park had never had so many visitors at one time. It was total bedlam.
French physician Philippe Pinel was instrumental in the transformation of bedlams from filthy hellholes to well-ordered, humane institutions.

Recent Examples of bedlam from the Web

One of my readers did a little detective work, and deduced exactly where the bedlam bungalow is, possibly due to its proximity to the roof cow.

— kevin fisher-paulson, SFChronicle.com, "Cops and copy editors keeping things orderly," 25 June 2018
Try a different warehouse The rest of the film is predictable bedlam, with every scene feeling like a rehash of prior films' special effects—only with more familiar stuff on screen at once.

— sam machkovech, Ars Technica, "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom review: This nonsense has gone full Sharknado," 22 June 2018
Few predicted last year’s bedlam, even after the practice sessions.

— jim ayello, Indianapolis Star, "IndyCar Texas preview: Why more mayhem could be on tap, and Will Power could win," 7 June 2018
When three or more salmon are buttoned at once, the scene can turn into absolute bedlam.

— tom stienstra, SFChronicle.com, "Salmon opener brings mysteries, chance of mayhem," 10 June 2018
Mario Knapp entered the school, he was surrounded by bedlam and the noise of gunfire.

— charles rabin, miamiherald, "Even with years of training, stopping live shooter is incredibly hard, experts say | Miami Herald," 15 Mar. 2018
The first are supporters of Trump, the celebrity-king who’s survived bedlam, bankruptcy, and scandal that would have wiped out, or at least embarrassed, mere mortals.

— max abelson, Bloomberg.com, "Call Him Mr. Impeachment: Tom Steyer’s War Against Donald Trump," 25 Apr. 2018
Inside Edition visited South Padre Island, Texas, in mid-March — the heat of spring break bedlam — and spotted countless daredevils leaping off their balconies into hotel pools below.

— janine puhak, Fox News, "Spring breakers in danger with balcony partying," 28 Mar. 2018
Leonard Hamilton rested both hands on his hips, the lone concession to the bedlam.

— nathan fenno, latimes.com, "As its coach calmly watches, Florida State upsets Gonzaga to continue tourney run," 23 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bedlam.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.