as in psychotic
unable to think in a clear or sensible way
destined to become one of the nation's most notorious serial killers, he apparently became unhinged as a result of being abandoned as a young teen
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in disturbed
to cause to go insane or as if insane
the endless harassment by the guards completely unhinged the prisoners of war
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in alarmed
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
I was momentarily unhinged by the unexpected question
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unhinged
Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 6 Aug. 2025
The great ongoing American conversation escalated into a great American bar fight this summer, as a long and increasingly unhinged national back-and-forth about race, politics, sexuality, the nature of both the Trump administration and fame itself was triggered by … a jeans ad.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2025
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 30 Nov. 2024
Sometimes, in its quest to frame both ends of the political spectrum as unhinged, the show verges on cartoonish.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 28 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for unhinged
Adjective
On the eve of professional football’s annual scouting Combine, Cam is attacked by an unhinged fan and suffers a potentially career-ending brain trauma.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 6 Aug. 2025
The great ongoing American conversation escalated into a great American bar fight this summer, as a long and increasingly unhinged national back-and-forth about race, politics, sexuality, the nature of both the Trump administration and fame itself was triggered by … a jeans ad.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2025
Verb
New Yorkers have had enough with a dangerous and endless loop whereby obviously unstable people cycle through the courts, jails and hospitals, then wind up untreated and unhinged back on the streets and subways.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 30 Nov. 2024
Sometimes, in its quest to frame both ends of the political spectrum as unhinged, the show verges on cartoonish.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 28 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for unhinged
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unhinged
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
Verb
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These five destinations show that sharing the shore with animals can be calm, safe and memorable for the right reasons when animals aren’t fed or disturbed.—
Emese Maczko,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Even the guards appeared to be disturbed.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
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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If 51% of the population is being so underserved, the ratio to opportunity is insane.—
Gemma Allen,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Cameras captured her walking around on the grass before getting distracted and Jordan swooping her up to get to their next hole.—
Nasha Smith,
People.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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The one who got distracted by the minstrel did not finish last.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Though it's deemed an accident in the play by Queen Gertrude, Ophelia was considered mad and the possibility of suicide was not ruled out.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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Instead, this is an ice hockey-style slide-and-bump affair; hitting an opponent from the side simply gives an annoying temporary jolt (which also disrupts their shooting motion) while hitting an opponent head-on forces a loose ball turnover and a mad scramble for the ball.—
Kyle Orland,
ArsTechnica,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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With the exception of the Russell 2000, which gained 1%, none of the major indices bothered to get out of bed the day after Christmas.—
JJ Kinahan,
Forbes,
27 Dec. 2024
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In fact, if you can’t be bothered even to reach for the remote to select this new button, the latest firmware update will also automatically start playing the next episode after a countdown.—
John Archer,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Yet what starts as sensible due diligence becomes maniacal overpreparation.—
Melissa Sierra,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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The Redeem Team’s most entertaining stories revolve around Bryant’s maniacal work ethic.—
Skyler Trepel Published,
EW.com,
10 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The business community is also bracing for potential impacts, with some worried that the new tolls could discourage shoppers and visitors, potentially leading to reduced foot traffic and sales in the affected areas.—
Jack Kelly,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
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Or be imprisoned by what everyone else is worried about.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
5 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unhinged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unhinged. Accessed 29 Aug. 2025.
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