bedlam

American  

[bed-luhm] / ˈbɛd ləm /

noun

1. a scene or state of wild uproar and confusion.

   Synonyms:

   pandemonium , commotion , turmoil , clamor , chaos , tumult , disorder

2. Archaic.  an insane asylum or madhouse.

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bedlam British  

/ ˈbɛdləm /

noun

1. a noisy confused place or situation; state of uproar

   his speech caused bedlam

2. archaic  a lunatic asylum; madhouse

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Etymology

Origin of bedlam

A popular name for the Hospital of St. Mary of Bethlehem in London, which served as a lunatic asylum from circa 1400; compare Middle English Bedleem, Bethleem, Old English Betleem Bethlehem

Example Sentences

In the midst of Belém’s COP30 bedlam, environmentalists, economists, lobbyists and diplomats busily haggle at the global climate conference about what we can and cannot get away with in negotiations over Mother Nature.

From Los Angeles Times

When it hit the back of the net, there were no words, just bedlam.

From BBC

The incendiary nature of his new environment - the utter bedlam - is going to be a shock.

From BBC

For a film that’s ostensibly about the picture-perfect joys of a family Christmas, this looks more like holiday bedlam than bliss.

From Salon

So Pages, juggling the beer bottles, took a moment to raise a toast to them in the bedlam of the victory celebration.

From Los Angeles Times