demented

American  

[dih-men-tid] / dɪˈmɛn tɪd /

adjective

1. crazy; insane; mad.

   Synonyms:

   unbalanced, deranged, crazed, lunatic

2. affected with dementia.

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demented British  

/ dɪˈmɛntɪd /

adjective

1. mad; insane

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Other Word Forms

• dementedly adverb
• dementedness noun
• half-demented adjective
• semidemented adjective

Etymology

Origin of demented

First recorded in 1635–45; dement + -ed ²

Example Sentences

Doug feverishly bangs out a script and Griff, who plans to star in the remake, calls it “a masterpiece,” though the demented glint in Mr. Black’s eyes assures us it’s anything but.

From The Wall Street Journal

It is, at times, delightfully demented, a family film with a weird streak — perhaps at times even a slightly sinister one.

From Los Angeles Times

While Disneyland’s original Haunted Mansion is the one after my heart, the overlay has its charms, namely the demented gingerbread house in the ballroom scene.

From Los Angeles Times

Sam Neill stars in “Madness” as an insurance investigator who, sent to find a missing, bestselling horror author, ends up stumbling into the demented New England small town of the author’s books.

From The Wall Street Journal

Last year, for instance, was a “hell hotel,” with rooms themed to demented clowns or terror at sea.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• deranged
• hysterical
• mad
• maniacal
• manic
• psychotic
• unhinged