1
as in disturbing
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 alarming
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
I was momentarily unhinged by the unexpected question
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of unhinging
Burmese pythons, which can engulf an entire Presidential golfing party simply by unhinging their (the pythons’) jaws, inhabit the environs of the Gulf of Mexico, and have even been seen swimming offshore.
—
Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unhinging
Verb
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Videos showing the physical abuse of nonverbal children on a Littleton Public Schools bus are disturbing and difficult to watch.—
Karen Morfitt,
CBS News,
6 Jan. 2026
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Over the next six months, disturbing details about the abuse Kevin’s youngest children endured at the hands of their mother and Hildebrandt emerged.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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While a small sample size, the historical record for what happens after the S & P 500 has a down month after a seven-month win streak is more reassuring than alarming for the near term.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
5 Jan. 2026
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China’s increasingly advanced military capabilities are alarming the West and reshaping the global balance of naval power, analysts said.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Writing essays, in the same way, lubricates my writing of fiction and vice versa—by distracting me and taking my thoughts elsewhere.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
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The glare from the sun had been reflecting in the lenses and distracting Smith.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Ibrahim keeps bothering me endlessly, touching my leg and thigh.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Ask her if anything is bothering her.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
24 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Few know the alchemy of unsettling audio design better than Nine Inch Nails and one-time Guns n’ Roses guitarist Robin Finck, who toured with NIN from 1994 to 2000, and returned for their subsequent road shows from 2013 to the present.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
3 Dec. 2025
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Aggie’s blood visibly rises, but Nile keeps his unsettling cool throughout the whole interaction.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
13 Nov. 2025
Verb
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At a minimum, the investigation should be conducted swiftly, and Maryland residents should be informed of accountability steps taken to address these concerning allegations.—
Torrey Snow,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Jan. 2026
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His daughter then explained Tate's content to him, leading Graham to find the influencer's reach particularly concerning, given that Tate is also under multiple investigations for human trafficking and rape.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Next up is a visit to the 3-6 Charlotte Hornets, who the Lakers may remember upsetting them in Los Angeles after February’s botched trade deadline fiasco involving Dalton Knecht and then-Hornets center Mark Williams.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Canada was gripped by the World Series last month and early in November as the Blue Jays, the country’s only MLB team, came agonizingly close to upsetting the Dodgers juggernaut.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In Tokyo, travelers can explore the bustling neighborhoods of Shibuya, Harajuku, and Shinjuku, admire cutting-edge architecture, stroll through peaceful Japanese gardens, and experience vibrant nightlife without worrying about personal safety.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Jan. 2026
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Devices stay online without worrying about draining the car’s starter battery.—
Ascend Agency,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unhinging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unhinging. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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