unhinge

verb

un·​hinge ˌən-ˈhinj 

unhinged; unhinging; unhinges

transitive verb

1

: to make unstable : unsettle, disrupt

unhinge the balance of world peace

pressure that would unhinge a less experienced person

2

: to remove from the hinges

unhinge a door

Synonyms

• disturb
• distract
• unsettle
• bother
• derange
• unbalance
• confuse
• frenzy
• upset
• annoy

Examples of unhinge in a Sentence

the endless harassment by the guards completely unhinged the prisoners of war

I was momentarily unhinged by the unexpected question.

Recent Examples on the Web

Denzel is still the tough guy, but he’s not unhinged enough to make a world like this one feel quite alive or real. —Tim Grierson, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025

At the constitutionally minimal age of 25, Cawthorn was among the youngest House members ever and drew negative headlines over several scandals, embarrassing videos, unhinged rhetoric, and run-ins with the law. —David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2025

As a consequence, the illiberal, unhinged right, now united behind Trump, has stolen a march on them. —Book Marks august 1, Literary Hub, 1 Aug. 2025

The child Carlyle doesn’t quite see it, but the reader sees that Elizabeth Reuben is in a bad way—miserable, unhinged with heartbreak. —Benjamin Hale june 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for unhinge

• impinge
• infringe
• syringe
• binge
• cringe
• fringe
• hinge
• singe
• tinge
• twinge

Kids Definition

unhinge

verb

un·​hinge ˌən-ˈhinj 

1

: unsettle sense 2, disrupt

a mind unhinged by grief

2

: to remove (as a door) from the hinges