as in psychotic
unable to think in a clear or sensible way
a thoughtful movie about a demented man trying to survive on the street
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Recent Examples of demented
The infected barely factor into DaCosta’s film, but Jack O’Connell’s Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal is such a demented force of nature that the undead can’t hope to factor as much of a threat.
—
David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 13 Jan. 2026
Sitting on the among the world’s largest deposits of natural gas and oil, Iran doesn’t need nuclear energy, but Khamenei covets an atomic weapon in his war against the West (particularly the United States) and for his demented dream to destroy our ally Israel.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2026
While Disneyland’s original Haunted Mansion is the one after my heart, the overlay has its charms, namely the demented gingerbread house in the ballroom scene.
—Todd Martens, Boston Herald, 30 Nov. 2025
Episode one will guide viewers through the demented island of Tormentosa, found off the coast of Hispaña.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demented
David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 13 Jan. 2026
Sitting on the among the world’s largest deposits of natural gas and oil, Iran doesn’t need nuclear energy, but Khamenei covets an atomic weapon in his war against the West (particularly the United States) and for his demented dream to destroy our ally Israel.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2026
While Disneyland’s original Haunted Mansion is the one after my heart, the overlay has its charms, namely the demented gingerbread house in the ballroom scene.
—Todd Martens, Boston Herald, 30 Nov. 2025
Episode one will guide viewers through the demented island of Tormentosa, found off the coast of Hispaña.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demented
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demented
Adjective
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But providers might not have enough information available to make a correct diagnosis; an emergency room doctor treating someone experiencing a psychotic episode likely doesn’t have the capacity to know if their diagnosis should be schizophrenia, bipolar I or something else.—
Allison Parshall,
Scientific American,
28 Jan. 2026
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Is this lucid state only temporary based on the recent anti-psychotic meds he was given by Kelson?—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Last week, the wind-power green scam artists were back in federal court, arguing to be permitted to keep squandering billions more on those insane offshore windmills that produce next to no energy, but plenty of pollution.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
1 Feb. 2026
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That’s the best reaction to these stupid, insane men ruling the world now and trying to grab and dominate the world.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The Department of Homeland Security is slinging money around like mad.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
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Bugatti is marking the 20th birthday of its extraordinary Veyron with a special-edition hypercar that pays tribute to the 'mad genius' who designed it, Ferdinand Karl Piëch.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Colloquial slang in reverence to the most maniacal competitors.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
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Clearly, a straight line can be drawn from Lola to Moira Rose, the maniacal former soap-opera star, wig enthusiast, and erratic wife/mom on Schitt’s Creek (for which Catherine won an Emmy and a Golden Globe).—
Merrill Markoe,
Rolling Stone,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Skating is an achievement fueled by immense physical and mental stressors, financial sacrifice, and restrictive expectations that can wear on competitors for decades.—
Jasmine Wynn,
Time,
9 Feb. 2026
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The competitive stamina, the physical stamina, and the mental stamina that's required in these type of games.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Demented.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demented. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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