dementia

noun

de·men·tia | \ di-ˈmen(t)-shə

, -shē-ə \

Definition of dementia

1 : a usually progressive condition (such as Alzheimer's disease) marked by the development of multiple cognitive deficits (such as memory impairment, aphasia, and the inability to plan and initiate complex behavior) … dementia is diagnosed only when both memory and another cognitive function are each affected severely enough to interfere with a person's ability to carry out routine daily activities. — The Journal of the American Medical Association

2 : madness, insanity a fanaticism bordering on dementia

Other Words from dementia Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing dementia Learn More About dementia

Synonyms & Antonyms for dementia

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples of dementia in a Sentence

This patient suffers from dementia. a new study on age-related dementias

Recent Examples on the Web Garner, who has dementia, allegedly tried to steal less than $15 worth of goods from the store. — CBS News, 6 May 2022 Time is all that Alice and the Father have left together, yet it cannot be maximized through the haze of his dementia. — Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2022 Judy Brannon, 73, who has dementia, watched the team and picked up on some of their moves. — Alex Groth, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 13 Apr. 2022 Miller, who lives in Michigan, had been in Kherson taking care of her grandmother, who has dementia and cannot walk, when the war broke out and Russian troops occupied their city. — Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2022 Trudy’s elderly owner lived alone and had dementia. — Annette Mcgivney, Outside Online, 4 Apr. 2022 Her husband, who has dementia, cannot share her fears and worries. — Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2022 Faced with the reality of his impending mortality, Ptolemy lives alone in squalor, unable to overcome the frightening and dizzying haze of his dementia. — NBC News, 13 Mar. 2022 Hoarding is a mental disorder, and can accompany dementia. — New York Times, 23 Apr. 2022 See More

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

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Dictionary Entries Near dementia

démenti

dementia

dementia praecox

Statistics for dementia

Last Updated

9 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Dementia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dementia. Accessed 20 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for dementia

dementia

noun

de·men·tia | \ di-ˈmen-chə

Medical Definition of dementia

: a usually progressive condition (as Alzheimer's disease) marked by the development of multiple cognitive deficits (as memory impairment, aphasia, and inability to plan and initiate complex behavior)