unhinged

/ʌnˈhɪndʒd/
adjectiveIntermediate💡 mentally unstable or irrational
informal

Mentally unstable, irrational, or behaving in a wild and uncontrolled manner

The unhinged conspiracy theorist ranted about government mind control.

The mentally unstable person shouted wild and irrational claims about government mind control.

After years of stress, she became completely unhinged.

After enduring prolonged stress, she lost her mental stability and behaved erratically.

💡

Often used to describe someone who has lost control of their emotions or sanity.

Collocations

unhinged ranta wild, irrational speechunhinged behaviorextremely erratic or unpredictable actions

Related Phrases

lose itphrase
to become extremely angry or irrational
go off the deep endphrase
to become mentally unstable or irrational

💡Pro Tip

Context Matters

Use 'unhinged' to describe extreme irrationality, not mild eccentricity.

Gold Rule

Avoid Overuse

Reserve 'unhinged' for extreme cases to maintain its impact.

📖Word Origin

From 'un-' (not) + 'hinge' (a pivot point), originally referring to something physically detached from its pivot, now used metaphorically for mental instability.

📝Usage Notes

Commonly used in informal contexts to describe extreme emotional or mental instability. Avoid using in formal or clinical settings.

Word Breakdown

un-
not
prefix
+
hinged
attached by a pivot
root
English Dictionary