# unhinged

/ənˈhɪndʒd/ (US) · /ʌnhˈɪndʒd/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/unhinged
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

behaving in a way that is very strange, wild, or mentally unstable. It is often used to describe someone who has lost control of their actions or thoughts.

For teachers: mentally unbalanced or deranged; characterized by erratic and unstable behavior. In contemporary informal contexts, it frequently describes extreme or wildly inappropriate social media posts or public outbursts.

## Examples

- His latest social media posts are completely unhinged.
- The movie features an unhinged villain whose plans for world domination make very little sense.
- What began as a mild disagreement quickly spiraled into an unhinged rant that left everyone in the boardroom feeling deeply uncomfortable and concerned for his well-being.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used as a predicative adjective following linking verbs like 'seem', 'sound', or 'become'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.