lunacy

[ loo-nuh-see ]

noun

, plural lu·na·cies.

1. insanity; mental disorder.

   Synonyms: craziness, aberration, mania, madness, dementia, derangement

   Antonyms: sanity, rationality

2. intermittent insanity, formerly believed to be related to phases of the moon.

   Antonyms: sanity, rationality

3. extreme foolishness or an instance of it:

   Her decision to resign was sheer lunacy.

   Synonyms: stupidity, folly

4. unsoundness of mind sufficient to incapacitate one for civil transactions: a former legal term.

lunacy

/ ˈluːnəsɪ /

noun

1. (formerly) any severe mental illness
2. foolishness or a foolish act

Word History and Origins

Origin of lunacy¹

First recorded in 1535–45; lun(atic) + -acy

Example Sentences

It was lunacy, attempted larceny, an attack on democracy.

From Los Angeles Times

Rather than call out the dangerous lunacy in plain view, the Times has chosen to engage in tortured euphemisms.

From Salon

But rather than call out the dangerous lunacy in plain view, the Times has chosen to engage in tortured euphemisms, passive construction, and poor news judgment.

From Salon

We treat his lunacy as normalcy and criticize Harris for her indiscretions with equal aplomb.

From Salon

This transpired in less than an hour, as narratives in Ghost Town Alive! come quick and spiral into lunacy.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• absurdity
• folly
• foolishness
• idiocy
• insanity
• mania
• silliness
• stupidity