unhinged

[ uhn-hinjd ]

adjective

1. having no hinge or hinges, or with the hinges removed:

   an unhinged gate.

2. unsettled, disordered, or distraught:

   He became unhinged when his friend died.

Word History and Origins

Origin of unhinged¹

First recorded in 1710–20; unhinged ( def 1 ) un- ¹ + hinged ( def ); unhinged ( def 2 ) unhinge + -ed ²

Example Sentences

“This kind of completely unhinged, brutal and horrible reaction is inevitable in the conditions under which we live,” he said.

From Salon

“Trump is dangerous, he’s unhinged,” Jones, 33, said outside his East Point, Ga., polling station.

From Los Angeles Times

She has been correctly describing him as unstable, unhinged and confused.

From Salon

For months, Trump has made unhinged claims about children going to school one gender and coming home another.

From Los Angeles Times

An unhinged 78-year-old man who daily shows signs of losing mental agility.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• deranged
• disturbed
• manic
• unbalanced