Showing results for emotional incontinence. Search instead for urinary incontinence.

emotional incontinence

American

[ih-moh-shuh-nl in-kon-tn-uhns] / ɪˈmoʊ ʃə nl ɪnˈkɒn tn əns /

noun

a condition characterized by uncontrolled outbursts of laughing and crying, often associated with brain damage. EI

Etymology

Origin of emotional incontinence

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

emotional incontinence

No, she's the one who posted this video online, proud of her emotional incontinence.

From Salon ● Apr. 28, 2025

But emotional incontinence doesn't cure anything except warmth, trust and peace of mind.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 15, 2022

Franzen may have a point about the drift in modern life towards emotional incontinence, but I think he is wrong about these particular words.

From The Guardian ● Feb. 13, 2016

Here, Electra is merely debased by her emotional incontinence — literally: Ms. Scott Thomas flings herself to the ground more than once.

From New York Times ● Dec. 9, 2014

Waugh, on the other hand, we can imagine being quite merciless with the younger man, with his emotional incontinence, goofy transcendentalism and so on.

From Slate ● Jan. 15, 2013

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023