demented
adjective
de·ment·ed
di-ˈmen-təd 
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
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
Charles Simic2
: 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
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
The pop culture universe became significantly less demented on Friday when Barret Hansen, aka Dr. Demento, announced his retirement after 55 years of playing novelty songs on the airwaves.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2025
Like an orchestra led by some demented conductor, the clocks begin announcing themselves around 2 in the afternoon.
—David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 16 June 2025
Including: a Hitchcockian crime feature with high-fashion sensibilities, a culinary film that critiques perfectionism in a manner that would make Whiplash proud, and a wildly underrated psychological thriller with one of the most demented performances in recent memory.
—Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
We’re also treated to more of Maxwell Lord's Justice Gang, interdimensional portals, and mysterious shots of what might be Ultraman, Big Blue's demented Earth 3 evil counterpart.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for demented
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Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2025
Like an orchestra led by some demented conductor, the clocks begin announcing themselves around 2 in the afternoon.
—David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 16 June 2025
Including: a Hitchcockian crime feature with high-fashion sensibilities, a culinary film that critiques perfectionism in a manner that would make Whiplash proud, and a wildly underrated psychological thriller with one of the most demented performances in recent memory.
—Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
We’re also treated to more of Maxwell Lord's Justice Gang, interdimensional portals, and mysterious shots of what might be Ultraman, Big Blue's demented Earth 3 evil counterpart.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for demented
Cite this Entry
“Demented.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demented. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
demented
adjective
de·ment·ed
di-ˈment-əd
: affected by or exhibiting cognitive dementia
dementedly
adverb
dementedness
noun
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