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 pop culture universe became significantly less demented on Friday when Barret Hansen, aka Dr. Demento, announced his retirement after 55 years of playing novelty songs on the airwaves.
—
Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2025
Like an orchestra led by some demented conductor, the clocks begin announcing themselves around 2 in the afternoon.
—David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 16 June 2025
Including: a Hitchcockian crime feature with high-fashion sensibilities, a culinary film that critiques perfectionism in a manner that would make Whiplash proud, and a wildly underrated psychological thriller with one of the most demented performances in recent memory.
—Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
We’re also treated to more of Maxwell Lord's Justice Gang, interdimensional portals, and mysterious shots of what might be Ultraman, Big Blue's demented Earth 3 evil counterpart.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for demented
Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2025
Like an orchestra led by some demented conductor, the clocks begin announcing themselves around 2 in the afternoon.
—David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 16 June 2025
Including: a Hitchcockian crime feature with high-fashion sensibilities, a culinary film that critiques perfectionism in a manner that would make Whiplash proud, and a wildly underrated psychological thriller with one of the most demented performances in recent memory.
—Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
We’re also treated to more of Maxwell Lord's Justice Gang, interdimensional portals, and mysterious shots of what might be Ultraman, Big Blue's demented Earth 3 evil counterpart.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for demented
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demented
Adjective
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The counselor also told police Trotman had had a previous psychotic break in which he was found wandering the woods.—
Peter Hermann,
Washington Post,
7 Feb. 2023
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Lewis prescribed Price anti-psychotic medication after a mental health referral Sept. 1.—
Thomas Saccente,
Arkansas Online,
17 Jan. 2023
Adjective
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Amanda learned in like 10 seconds, which is insane.—
Scott Roxborough,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Mar. 2025
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If 51% of the population is being so underserved, the ratio to opportunity is insane.—
Gemma Allen,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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But also, the Big Ten’s maniacal College Football Playoff push and, of course, realignment.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
30 July 2025
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Christopher McDonald also reprises his role as maniacal pro-golfer Shooter McGavin, while Benny Safdie, Bad Bunny, Travis Kelce and Sandler’s real-life wife and kids — Jackie, Sunny and Sadie — joined the cast.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
29 July 2025
Adjective
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Marketing and advertising have undergone a similar shift from mad men to math men.—
Kian Bakhtiari,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
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People are very, very confused, and some people are very disappointed and mad.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 July 2025
Adjective
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This new version understands the overall assignment: bring back a few familiar faces; reintroduce your resident homicidal maniac hellbent on revenge; gather an insanely photogenic cast and kill most of them.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
16 July 2025
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Based on Roth’s fictitious trailer of the same name that appeared in Grindhouse (2007), Thanksgiving takes place in Plymouth, Massachusetts, where a masked maniac terrorizes the residents one year after a Black Friday riot ended in tragedy.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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This definition also includes instance in which the victim is incapable of giving consent because of temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity (include due to the influence of drugs or alcohol) or because of age.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Apr. 2025
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The actual policy changes related to the California Model, the secretary said, are limited to adapting training courses and working to make staff more aware of the mental and emotional consequences of trauma on staff and incarcerated people.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demented.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demented. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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