Unhinged
As an Adjective
- Mentally unstable or emotionally disturbed.
- Extremely upset, irrational, or behaving in an unpredictable way.
As Other Form
- Unhinge (Verb): To disturb, unsettle, or make someone lose their composure.
Word History
The word unhinged comes from the idea of a door being removed from its hinges, making it unstable. By the 17th century, it was used metaphorically to describe people who had lost stability in their emotions or mental state.
Examples
- His unhinged behavior worried his friends. (Adjective – mentally unstable)
- She became unhinged after hearing the shocking news. (Adjective – emotionally disturbed)
- The stress of the job nearly unhinged him. (Verb – caused instability)
Synonyms
Deranged, unstable, insane, irrational, erratic
Related Words
Disturbed, frantic, reckless, disoriented
Antonyms
Sane, stable, rational, composed
