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 of unhinge

• 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

Then there is The Idiot(s), the Telluride-premiering, unhinged portrait of love about Fyodor Dostoevsky (Johnny Flynn) and his great love of the time, Anna (Aimee Lou Wood). — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026

The film begins as a tense game of cat and mouse before spiraling into something far stranger, more disturbing, and deeply unhinged. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026

And a loss of faith in Fed independence could unhinge inflation expectations among investors and consumers. — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 17 Sep. 2026

In news that seems redundant but is meant to be relevant, Conrad’s doctor warns that his impulse control is weakening, which allows Brosnan to go from zero to unhinged at the drop of a newsboy cap. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026

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