insanity

[in-san-i-tee]

noun

plural

insanities 

1. (not in technical use as a medical diagnosis) the condition of being insane; a derangement of the mind.

   Synonyms: madness, lunacy, aberration, mania, craziness

2. Law.,  such unsoundness of mind as frees one from legal responsibility, as for committing a crime, or as signals one's lack of legal capacity, as for entering into a contractual agreement.

3. Psychiatry.,  (formerly) psychosis.

4. 1. extreme foolishness.

      Trying to drive through that traffic would be pure insanity.

   2. a foolish or senseless action, policy, statement, etc..

      We've heard decades of insanities in our political discourse.

insanity

/ ɪnˈsænɪtɪ /

noun

1. relatively permanent disorder of the mind; state or condition of being insane

2. law a defect of reason as a result of mental illness, such that a defendant does not know what he or she is doing or that it is wrong

3. utter folly; stupidity

Word History and Origins

Origin of insanity¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin insānitāt-, stem of insānitās “unsoundness of mind, insanity”; in- ³, sanity

Example Sentences

Garry: Martin's tactics are the definition of insanity - doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results.

From BBC

"She has killed her children but she is not guilty of murder by reason of insanity," Ms Smith said.

From BBC

To take Bianchi’s schtick seriously was to believe an alter ego named “Steve Walker” had done the crimes, the basis for an insanity defense.

From Los Angeles Times

“This is due to an outstanding marker with a casino. Apparently if you have over $1,200 they can issue a warrant for your arrest. Absolute insanity!”

From Los Angeles Times

Osbourne developed an aggressive vocal wail that always seemed to be teetering on the precipice of insanity.

From BBC

Related Words

• absurdity 
• alienation 
• craziness 
• folly 
• frenzy 
• hysteria 
• irresponsibility www.thesaurus.com
• lunacy 
• madness 
• mental disorder