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

His legendarily unhinged 2011 interview with ABC News’ Andrea Canning, which took place after he was fired from “Two and a Half Men,” exploded his Twitter following.

From Salon

“What’s fun about Laura’s perspective is Cherry seems completely unhinged and that there’s a real malevolent undertone to her behavior,” Cooke says.

From Los Angeles Times

“Even as fires still burned, the newly elected President began targeting our state — testing our resolve with his relentless, unhinged California obsession,” Newsom wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

In its story about Han's comments, Rolling Stone said the abuse had been "incredibly unhinged", with fan battles becoming "more intense, insane, and borderline psychotic with each weekly episode release".

From BBC

It’s been a long day of press for “The Roses,” the irreverent and occasionally unhinged black comedy she filmed with Benedict Cumberbatch last year, and she can’t sit up straight.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• deranged 
• disturbed 
• manic 
• unbalanced