unstrung

American  

[uhn-struhng] / ʌnˈstrʌŋ /

verb

1. simple past tense and past participle of unstring.

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adjective

1. having the string or strings loosened or removed, as a bow or harp.

2. weakened or nervously unhinged, as a person or a person's nerves; unnerved; discomposed.

   The incident left him unstrung.

unstrung British  

/ ʌnˈstrʌŋ /

adjective

1. emotionally distressed; unnerved

2. (of a stringed instrument) with the strings detached

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Etymology

Origin of unstrung

First recorded in 1590–1600, for the adjective

Example Sentences

He also wore a fur pelt around his neck and carried an unstrung wooden archery bow.

From Washington Times • Jul. 13, 2023

That is not to say it’s historically unstrung along the lines of “The Great” or “Bridgerton” or Sofia Coppola’s “Marie Antoinette”; generally speaking, it stays put within its period.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 30, 2021

We’ll leave our gloves, with their humble histories, just as they are, somewhat unstrung by time and use, like us.

From Washington Post • Jun. 30, 2021

It’s so surprising and moving and true that I became completely unstrung, incapable of reading it to my husband without breaking down.

From New York Times • Oct. 10, 2017

Upon the quiet daughter of Ikarios she let clear drops of slumber fall, until the queen lay back asleep, her limbs unstrung, in her long chair.

From "The Odyssey" by Homer