demented

adjective

de·​ment·​ed di-ˈmen-təd How to pronounce demented (audio)
1
: mad, insane
The advertising campaign for the movie version is trying to sell it as a prankish comedy, with the eccentric aunt who appears from nowhere as a demented Mary Poppins.Pauline Kael
… the violence was instigated directly by Serbian nationalists in Bosnia and in Belgrade as part of their demented project to separate the two intermixed ethnic communities once and for all,Charles Simic
2
: affected by or exhibiting cognitive dementia
At least one-third of people serving as caregivers for a demented husband or wife become chronically depressed.Bennett D. Gurian
dementedly adverb
dementedness noun

Examples of demented in a Sentence

Many of the patients there were demented. In the movie, he plays a demented man trying to survive on the streets of Los Angeles. Her demented ramblings are a symptom of her illness. He gave me a demented little smile. parents who are almost demented with worry
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Watching him dance and sing with a room full of demented goblins never really gets old. Ollie Barder, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024 What begins as a seeming act of kindness on Steven’s part soon turns into a truly demented version of Sophie’s Choice. Jennifer M. Wood, WIRED, 29 Oct. 2024 Lucky for Michele, Laurel starts to break down, incapable of finding the will to continue this demented game of Royal Match. Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024 Hip-hop/acting star Ice-T went with a demented clown look while his wife, actress Coco Austin with a Harley Quinn look at Heidi Klum’s annual Halloween Party. Tim Lammers, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for demented 

Word History

Etymology

from past participle of dement "to deprive of reason, drive mad," borrowed from Medieval Latin dēmentāre, going back to Late Latin, "to deceive, hoodwink," verbal derivative of Latin dēment-, dēmens "out of one's mind, frenzied, insane" — more at dementia

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of demented was in 1632

Dictionary Entries Near demented

Cite this Entry

“Demented.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demented. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

demented

adjective
de·​ment·​ed di-ˈment-əd How to pronounce demented (audio)
: mentally disordered
dementedly adverb

Medical Definition

demented

adjective
de·​ment·​ed di-ˈment-əd How to pronounce demented (audio)
: affected by or exhibiting cognitive dementia
dementedly adverb
dementedness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on demented

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