dementia

noun

di-ˈmen(t)-shə How to pronounce dementia (audio)
Definition of dementianext
as in schizophrenia
a serious mental disorder that prevents one from living a safe and normal life doctors were able to treat the patient's dementia with drugs and thus allow him to function on his own

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dementia During his 2024 run on Dancing With the Stars, VelJohnson paid tribute to his Die Hard roots and his former costar and friend, Bruce Willis, amid his ongoing battle with frontotemporal dementia. — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026 If left untreated, these mild impairments and declines could lead to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. — Eric Cerino, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026 When Sukesh was in sixth grade, her grandfather was diagnosed with dementia. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Aug. 2026 Consuming less sugar during pregnancy and the first years of life may lower the risk of developing dementia decades later, according to new research. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dementia
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dementia
  1. schizophrenia
  2. insanity
  3. hysteria
  4. madness
  5. instability
Noun
  • Colt did not have any signs of insanity, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, Richards said.
    — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
  • Dominguez, diagnosed with schizophrenia, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the stabbing deaths of David Breaux and Karim Abou Najm.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of schizophrenia
Noun
  • To put my whole psyche, insecurities, anecdotes, family, community, insanity out there in a show in this way.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 29 July 2026
  • Colt did not have any signs of insanity, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, Richards said.
    — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
Definition of insanity
Noun
  • The job search can be a draining process, especially when applications go unanswered, AI hysteria circles the internet, and interviews end with little to no feedback.
    — Alyshia Hull, USA Today, 28 July 2026
  • At this point, there's reason to wonder when and if the WNBA can move past the nastiness and racial hysteria that have defined the past few seasons.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of hysteria
Noun
  • Except none of it was true — and the real perpetrator behind the madness wasn’t who anyone suspected.
    — Katie Mather, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026
  • Their win was a victory for method over the madness that always threatened to be Argentina’s undoing.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of madness
Noun
  • The group's Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee expressed concern over attacks on energy infrastructure and maritime routes, which exacerbate market instability.
    — Gaurav Sharma, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Importantly, the robot maintained stable locomotion throughout testing, showing that the AI controller could effectively harness passive energy stored in the compliant feet without introducing instability or excessive corrective movements.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of instability

Browse Nearby Words

dementedness
dementia
demerit
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dementia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dementia. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dementia

Nglish: Translation of dementia for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dementia

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