delirium
noun
de·lir·i·um
di-ˈlir-ē-əm 
1
: an acute (see acute sense 1a(2)) mental disturbance characterized by confused thinking and disrupted attention usually accompanied by disordered speech and hallucinations
2
: frenzied excitement
he would stride about his room in a delirium of joy—
Thomas Wolfe
Thomas Wolfea crowd in a state of delirium
Examples of delirium in a Sentence
In her delirium, nothing she said made any sense.
shoppers running around in a delirium the day before Christmas
Recent Examples on the Web
No sweating, fast heartbeat, fainting or feeling faint, breathing quickly, confusion or delirium, loss of consciousness and a high temperature.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Initial symptoms, per the CDC, are similar to the flu, before progressing to neurological symptoms like delirium, anxiety and hydrophobia (fear of water), as well as physical signs like seizures.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 19 June 2025
Devers was deported after a wondrous sweep of the Yankees that left Fenway Park in delirium.
—Bill Speros, Boston Herald, 18 June 2025
Mel dies, in the delirium of death, and expresses her gratitude to Ellie, under the impression that her baby is saved.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for delirium
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Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Initial symptoms, per the CDC, are similar to the flu, before progressing to neurological symptoms like delirium, anxiety and hydrophobia (fear of water), as well as physical signs like seizures.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 19 June 2025
Devers was deported after a wondrous sweep of the Yankees that left Fenway Park in delirium.
—Bill Speros, Boston Herald, 18 June 2025
Mel dies, in the delirium of death, and expresses her gratitude to Ellie, under the impression that her baby is saved.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for delirium
Cite this Entry
“Delirium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/delirium. Accessed 1 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
delirium
noun
de·lir·i·um
di-ˈlir-ē-əm
1
: a mental disturbance marked by confusion, disturbed speech, and hallucinations
2
: wild excitement
Medical Definition
delirium
noun
de·lir·i·um
di-ˈlir-ē-əm
: an acute (see acute sense 2b(1)) mental disturbance characterized by confused thinking and disrupted attention usually accompanied by disordered speech and hallucinations
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