unhinged

USAGE SUMMARY

"unhinged" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is mentally unstable or becoming increasingly irrational due to mental illness or stress. For example, "The pressures of his job led him to become unhinged, which resulted in his sudden resignation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Across at the Telegraph, star columnist and part-time mayor Boris Johnson, who has probably given the issue three of four minutes of half-concentrated thought, calls Blair "unhinged".

The Guardian

With the run of actual hit singles drying up in the past five years, however, contestants on the live shows now recreate full performances from previous contestants, with highlights being a mildly unhinged version of Katie Waissel's version of Don't Give Up on Me, complete with bird's-nest wig and "sod it" outburst; a sensitive rereading of Jedward's incredible version of Britney's Oops.

The Guardian - Music

But when playing the socially challenged Bruce Banner, whose unhinged temperament leads to his transformations into the Hulk, Ruffalo's shiftiness becomes a major selling point.

The Guardian - Film

The social media output of MPs looks even more unhinged when you see it in the context of the debates raging among their constituents online.

The Guardian - Opinion

The relatively measured talk on Iraq was the exception, however, in Rubio's appearance Wednesday, which he otherwise used to sharply condemn a White House foreign policy that he characterized as too passive and "unhinged from its moral purpose".

The Guardian

The chief media spokesperson for this fringe was recently described by moderate communications minister and former LNP leader Malcolm Turnbull as "demented" and "unhinged".

The Guardian

Nearly half the population of Perth came onto the street for the America's Cup victory parade, an enthusiasm that, while undoubtedly genuine, was turbocharged by a media coverage that in retrospect seems slightly unhinged.

The Guardian - Opinion

And in the tradition of great sitcom characters, so is Mindy Lahiri – doctor, monster, poster girl for the serially unhinged.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Claire Messud's The Woman Upstairs (Virago) is a very cross book but the reader is enthralled by constantly wondering whether this most unreliable of narrators is unhinged.

The Guardian - Books

He didn't have to spend months locked away in budget preparations, grinding away on the expenditure review committee; he didn't have to worry himself about trying to control numbers in a house where a government lacked the numbers to govern; or push complex public policy through a minority parliament; he didn't have to number crunch for Gillard or Kevin Rudd throughout the unhinged civil war.

The Guardian

But the fact is nearly all money has lately become contactless, as apparently unhinged from reality as the outrageous fortune of lottery winners or £60,000-a-week footballers who never get a game.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unhinged" to describe a state of mental instability or erratic behavior, ensuring the context clearly indicates the subject's loss of control or grip on reality.

Common error

Avoid using "unhinged" lightly to describe minor annoyances or eccentricities. Reserve it for situations where there's a significant and concerning departure from rational behavior.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "unhinged" primarily functions to describe a state of mental instability or irrationality. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to indicate that someone is mentally unstable or becoming increasingly irrational due to mental illness or stress. Examples show its use in describing temperament, policies, or general behavior.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Ludwig AI confirms that the adjective "unhinged" is grammatically correct and widely used to describe a state of mental instability or irrational behavior. With 55 examples from various sources, it's deemed "Very common", particularly within "News & Media", "Encyclopedias" and "Science". While it denotes a loss of control or reason, it's important to avoid overusing it in casual contexts. Alternatives such as "mentally unstable" or "erratic" might be preferable depending on the level of formality or intensity required. Using "unhinged" appropriately emphasizes the severity of a situation and can provide a vivid description of an individual's state of mind.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mentally unstable

Focuses on a general lack of mental stability, suggesting a long-term condition rather than a temporary state.

mentally deranged

Implies a more severe and profound disturbance of the mind than "unhinged".

gone mad

Suggests a complete loss of reason and control, often implying a sudden onset.

lost it

An informal expression for losing control of one's emotions or mental state.

off the rails

Suggests a deviation from normal behavior and a loss of control.

out of their mind

Indicates irrational behavior or thought, implying a temporary state of altered mental capacity.

cracking up

Suggests someone is experiencing a mental breakdown due to stress or pressure.

flipping out

An informal term for becoming extremely agitated, nervous, or losing emotional control.

not all there

Indicates a lack of mental clarity or focus, suggesting someone is slightly detached from reality.

having a breakdown

Describes a period of mental or emotional distress resulting in impaired functioning.

FAQs

How can I use "unhinged" in a sentence?

You can use "unhinged" to describe someone who is mentally unstable or behaving irrationally. For example, "The stress caused him to become completely unhinged".

What's a less intense synonym for "unhinged"?

If "unhinged" feels too strong, consider alternatives like "eccentric", "erratic", or "unstable" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "unhinged" and "deranged"?

"Unhinged" suggests a loss of mental stability or control, while "deranged" implies a more profound and severe mental illness or disturbance.

Is it appropriate to use "unhinged" in formal writing?

While "unhinged" is acceptable, consider the formality of your context. In very formal writing, you might prefer more clinical terms like "mentally unstable" or "psychologically disturbed".