as in psychotic
unable to think in a clear or sensible way
a thoughtful movie about a demented man trying to survive on the street
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Recent Examples of demented
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
But such hopes for a prosperous future were dashed by the Macías Nguema regime; the deplorable attitudes of Spain during colonial rule had a psychological impact on Macías, one that helps to explain his demented behavior once in power.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 18 Apr. 2025
Bale, of course, stars as the demented serial-killing New York City investment banker in the 2000 film adaptation of author Bret Easton Ellis’ controversial 1991 best-selling novel American Psycho.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demented
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
But such hopes for a prosperous future were dashed by the Macías Nguema regime; the deplorable attitudes of Spain during colonial rule had a psychological impact on Macías, one that helps to explain his demented behavior once in power.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 18 Apr. 2025
Bale, of course, stars as the demented serial-killing New York City investment banker in the 2000 film adaptation of author Bret Easton Ellis’ controversial 1991 best-selling novel American Psycho.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demented
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demented
Adjective
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The counselor also told police Trotman had had a previous psychotic break in which he was found wandering the woods.—
Peter Hermann,
Washington Post,
7 Feb. 2023
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Lewis prescribed Price anti-psychotic medication after a mental health referral Sept. 1.—
Thomas Saccente,
Arkansas Online,
17 Jan. 2023
Adjective
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Amanda learned in like 10 seconds, which is insane.—
Scott Roxborough,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Mar. 2025
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The emu egg—a two pound, eight-inch ovoid with a sultry teal shell gently speckled in pale green—seemed like just the right absurdist final flourish for an already insane endeavor.—
Helen Rosner,
The New Yorker,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Trump didn’t invent that, but no other politician has ever devoted himself to widening that gulf between the two factions with such maniacal commitment.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
14 July 2025
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An evil clown turned serial killer who terrorizes a fictional New York City borough during Halloween and Christmas will join a maniacal lineup of murderers, mutants and monsters during this year’s Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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Later in the film, François Arnaud plays a dreamy/nightmare client, matching her gentleness with mad intensity, while giving their scenes together a charge that carries the film into its frenzied conclusion with bold poise.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
11 July 2025
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Incredibly, the Biden administration acted in fear, thinking that Putin might get really mad and use nuclear weapons.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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This new version understands the overall assignment: bring back a few familiar faces; reintroduce your resident homicidal maniac hellbent on revenge; gather an insanely photogenic cast and kill most of them.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
16 July 2025
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Based on Roth’s fictitious trailer of the same name that appeared in Grindhouse (2007), Thanksgiving takes place in Plymouth, Massachusetts, where a masked maniac terrorizes the residents one year after a Black Friday riot ended in tragedy.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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This definition also includes instance in which the victim is incapable of giving consent because of temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity (include due to the influence of drugs or alcohol) or because of age.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Apr. 2025
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Search efforts have also taken a mental toll on rescue workers.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demented.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demented. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
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