unhinge

[uhn-hinj]

verb (used with object)

unhinged, unhinging 

1. to remove (a door or the like) from hinges.

2. to open wide by or as if by removing supporting hinges.

   to unhinge one's jaws.

3. to upset; unbalance; disorient; throw into confusion or turmoil.

   to unhinge the mind.

4. to dislocate or disrupt the normal operation of; unsettle.

   to unhinge plans.

5. to detach or separate from something.

6. to cause to waver or vacillate.

   to unhinge supporters of conservative policies.

unhinge

/ ʌnˈhɪndʒ /

verb

1. to remove (a door, gate, etc) from its hinges

2. to derange or unbalance (a person, his mind, etc)

3. to disrupt or unsettle (a process or state of affairs)

4. (usually foll by from) to detach or dislodge

Other Word Forms

• unhingement noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unhinge¹

First recorded in 1605–15; un- ² + hinge

Example Sentences

But overcooked is the narrative, perpetuated daily in the press, that Ms. Sears is “unhinged,” as Don Scott, speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, told reporters in the spin room after the debate.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Angus O’Brien as the smilingly unhinged Hicks is a memorably mad recruit who stirs things up for no reason but his own amusement, and ours.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The president and his “secretary of war” deliver unhinged macho-snowflake monologues urging senior military officers to wage war on civilians in American cities.

Read more on Salon

General Assembly last week — probably the longest speech ever delivered by a U.S. president in that forum, and without question the most unhinged — requires facing a difficult truth.

Read more on Salon

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.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• fluster 
• unbalance