insane

[ in-seyn ]

/ ɪnˈseɪn /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR insane ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

not sane; not of sound mind; mentally deranged.

of, relating to, or characteristic of a person who is mentally deranged: insane actions; an insane asylum.

utterly senseless: an insane plan.

Nearby words

ins, ins and outs, ins., insalivate, insalubrious, insane, insanely, insanitary, insanitation, insanity, insatiability

Origin of insane

From the Latin word insānus, dating back to 1550–60. See in-³, sane

SYNONYMS FOR insane

1 demented; lunatic, crazed, crazy; maniacal.

3 foolish, irrational. See mad.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR insane ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsin·sane·ly, adverbin·sane·ness, nounpseu·do·in·sane, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for insane

After all, what says Christmas more than obligations, gastrointestinal distress, and insane dining companions?
The Top 10 Nontraditional Christmas TV Episodes|Jace Lacob|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Yet she spoke of his dignity in such an insane situation and when she touched on his pain she expressed her own on his behalf.
The Life and Hard Times Of The Family A Cuban Defector Left Behind|Brin-Jonathan Butler|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It's insane that you are losing friends in real life because of their ignorance on the Internet.
The Unbearable Whiteness of Protesting|Rawiya Kameir, Judnick Mayard|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“It's insane to see what the extreme version of that type of helpless anger combined with mental illness can create,” Cook wrote.
School Shooters Love This Pickup Artist Website|Brandy Zadrozny|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Now we need to change the insane policies that lead to his killing.
Eric Garner Was Choked to Death for Selling Loosies|Nick Gillespie|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
From fancying herself neglected by her husband she became jealous of him—a most absurd and insane idea.
The Young People's Wesley|W. McDonald
Of course I at once sent for old Dr. Macnab, and asked him to fetch a certificate for an insane person with him.
Scotch Wit and Humor|W. H. (Walter Henry) Howe
He tried Hawaii, where, unable to prove him insane, the authorities deported him.
The Cruise of the Snark|Jack London
The only way to combat these conditions in the city is to have strict registration of all feeble-minded and insane.
The Eugenic Marriage, Volume I. (of IV.)|W. Grant Hague, M.D.
Honora, in spite of her discomfort, had an insane desire to giggle.
A Modern Chronicle, Complete|Winston Churchill

British Dictionary definitions for insane

insane

/ (ɪnˈseɪn) /

adjective

mentally deranged; crazy; of unsound mind
(as collective noun; preceded by the)the insane

characteristic of a person of unsound mindan insane stare

irresponsible; very foolish; stupid

Derived Formsinsanely, adverbinsaneness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for insane

insane

adj.

1550s, from Latin insanus "mad, insane; outrageous, excessive, extravagant," from in- "not" (see in- (1)) + sanus "well, healthy, sane" (see sane). Originally only of persons; of actions, from 1842. Cf. lunatic; and Italian pazzo "insane," originally a euphemism, from Latin patiens "suffering." German verrückt, literally past participle of verrücken "to displace," "applied to the brain as to a clock that is 'out of order' " [Buck]. The noun meaning "insane person" is attested from 1786.

insane

adjective

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Origin of insane

Examples from the Web for insane

British Dictionary definitions for insane

insane

adjective

Word Origin and History for insane

insane

Medicine definitions for insane

insane

adj.