unhinge

verb

ˌən-ˈhinj How to pronounce unhinge (audio)
Definition of unhingenext
1
as in to disturb
to cause to go insane or as if insane the endless harassment by the guards completely unhinged the prisoners of war

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to distract
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy I was momentarily unhinged by the unexpected question

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 unhinge 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 Before the Indiana State Fair comes to a close on Sunday, check out our Retro Indy story on how the fair food went from understated to unhinged over the years. — Evan Frank, IndyStar, 20 Aug. 2026 Fuelled by unhinged online hate and anti-Israel extremism, total violent hate crimes skyrocketed by 97% since 2022, forcing terrified Jewish communities around the world into hiding. — Staff, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for unhinge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unhinge
  1. disturb
  2. distract
  3. unsettle
  4. bother
  5. derange
  6. worry
  7. unbalance
  8. alarm
Verb
  • Her departure came just the day after prosecutors said the baby's mother discovered disturbing camera footage over a three-month period.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Then the heart-wrenching, disturbing discussion of why Nevada became famous overnight was brought up.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of disturb
Verb
  • In each case, the visible problem can distract from the value underneath it.
    — Michael Ligon, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The Democrat, who supports Jackson, thinks there’s wisdom in trying to avoid gaffes that distract from Collins.
    — Julia Terruso, Time, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of distract
Verb
  • Short enough to read in a single sitting, Sara Gran’s chilling story of an architect succumbing to demonic possession will leave readers stunned and unsettled.
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The recent layoffs have nevertheless unsettled Britain’s independent production community, which has already endured several difficult years of shrinking budgets and fewer commissions.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of unsettle
Verb
  • The mathematics and computer science graduate, who spent two years in the Peace Corps, launched Netflix by mailing DVDs in red envelopes to customers bothered by Blockbuster Video chain’s practices and late fees.
    — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Some people, like me, are bothered by such images but can mostly ignore them.
    — Gabriela Galvin, Scientific American, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of bother
Verb
  • From SheetsGate to purposefully washing Joy’s uniforms with rags, the laundry room has unleashed something deranged in Gen.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Featuring an ensemble populated by killer character actors like Jacki Weaver, Luis Guzmán, Kurtwood Smith, Timothy Spall, and Michael Chernus, Perpetual Grace, LTD is an off-kilter neo-noir that mines deranged humor from its eccentric characters.
    — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of derange
Verb
  • Although officials have not released details about the cause of death, scientists agree that if it was caused by ordinary plague, the wider world has little to worry about.
    — Faye Flam, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Jason Henry | Bloomberg | Getty Images Anthropic’s IPO prospectus is chock-full of details for investors to celebrate — and worry about.
    — Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of worry
Verb
  • Denying the Wave a crucial 1-0 lead, no teammate could convert on a bright drive and dish by speedster Ludmila that unbalanced Seattle’s defense.
    — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 July 2026
  • The risk is that only a handful of clubs will be able to cough up those sums, unbalancing the market.
    — Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 19 May 2026
Definition of unbalance
Verb
  • That move sparked enormous street protests in Israel, and alarmed many Israeli citizens overseas.
    — Daniel Brook, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The new company has nearly $80 billion in debt, with leverage of six-and-a-half times trailing earnings, a ratio that has alarmed investors and triggered credit rating downgrades.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of alarm

Browse Nearby Words

unhindered
unhinge
unhinged
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unhinge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unhinge. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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