Definition of insanity
insanities
1 dated : a severely disordered state of the mind usually occurring as a specific disorder
2 law : unsoundness of mind or lack of the ability to understand that prevents one from having the mental capacity required by law to enter into a particular relationship, status, or transaction or that releases one from criminal or civil responsibility
3a : extreme folly or unreasonableness the insanity of violence His comments were pure insanity.b : something utterly foolish or unreasonable the insanities of modern life
People Are Reading
Examples of insanity in a Sentence
She was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
His friends thought his decision to quit his job was pure insanity.
Please, no more violence. It's time to stop this insanity.
the insanities of modern life
Recent Examples of insanity from the Web
-
The Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, woman was found not guilty by reason of insanity on three charges of child neglect and child endangerment in July 2016.
-
Her attorney entered an insanity defense prior to the 2015 trial.
-
In 2008, the nonprofit opened the Connell House for people found guilty of violent crimes except for insanity.
-
The trials of the men who tried to kill the queen, most of whom pleaded insanity, also helped to strengthen the legal standards by which pleas of incapacity are prosecuted, writes Bruce Steele for the University Times.
-
The book has a kind of gonzo levity and a group of characters who either by virtue of hubris or the simple insanity of war seem to be larger than life.
-
Yates’ attorneys, George Parnham and Wendell Odom, wasted no time on Monday filing formal notice of their intention to mount an insanity defense.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'insanity'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
On the Meaning of insanity
An oft-quoted bon mot (frequently attributed to Albert Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, or a number of other people who probably never said it) is that insanity may be defined as “doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” While the job of lexicographers might be easier if they were allowed to use witty sayings instead of precise definitions, such belletristic labors are not within their purview. The straight facts about insanity are these: it has been in use in English since the late 16th century, for the first two hundred years or so carrying only the literal meaning “the condition of being mentally deranged.” In the 19th century it began to take on a looser sense, “extreme folly or unreasonableness.” In modern usage, insanity may be found in both senses: you may tell your brother that trying to skateboard while holding onto a car is "insanity" (in which case you mean that it is extremely foolish) or encounter the stricter original meaning in such contexts as insanity plea.
1590
First Known Use of insanity
1590
Other Psychology Terms
INSANITY Defined for English Language Learners
insanity
playDefinition of insanity for English Language Learners
-
: severe mental illness : the condition of being insane
-
: something that is very foolish or unreasonable
INSANITY Defined for Kids
insanity
playDefinition of insanity for Students
: the condition of being abnormal or unhealthy in mind
Medical Dictionary
insanity
playMedical Definition of insanity
insanities
1dated : a severely disordered state of the mind usually occurring as a specific disorder
2law : unsoundness of mind or lack of the ability to understand that prevents one from having the mental capacity required by law to enter into a particular relationship, status, or transaction or that releases one from criminal or civil responsibility
Law Dictionary
insanity
Legal Definition of insanity
1 : unsoundness of mind or lack of the ability to understand that prevents one from having the mental capacity required by law to enter into a particular relationship, status, or transaction or that releases one from criminal or civil responsibility: as a : a disease, defect, or condition of the mind that renders one unable to understand the nature of a criminal act or the fact that it is wrong or to conform one's conduct to the requirements of the law being violated b : inability to understand and participate in legal proceedings brought against one : incompetence c : inability to understand the nature and purpose of a punishment (as the death penalty) to which one has been sentenced d : inability to understand the nature and consequences of one's acts (as making a will) or of events, matters, or proceedings in which one is involved — see also commitment, durham rule, irresistible impulse test, m'naghten test, not guilty by reason of insanity, substantial capacity test — compare capacity, competency, competent, diminished capacity, sanity
2 : the affirmative defense of having acted while insane
Learn More about insanity
-
See words that rhyme with insanity Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for insanity Spanish Central: Translation of insanity Nglish: Translation of insanity for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of insanity for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about insanity
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up insanity? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!