demented

/di'mentid/

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Word: Demented

Part of Speech: Adjective

Basic Definition: The word "demented" describes someone who is affected by madness or insanity. It means that a person is not thinking clearly, often because they are mentally ill.

Usage Instructions

• You can use "demented" to describe a person whose behavior seems very strange or irrational due to mental health issues.
• It is often used in a serious context, but can also be used informally to describe someone acting silly or crazy.

Example Sentences

1. After years of struggling with his mental health, he became a demented man, lost in his own thoughts.
2. The movie featured a demented villain who plotted to take over the world.

Advanced Usage

• In literature and film, "demented" can describe characters that are not only mad but also dangerous or unpredictable.
• It can be used metaphorically to describe extreme or unreasonable behavior in non-human subjects, such as "demented ideas" or "demented plans."

Word Variants

• Dementia (noun): A medical condition that causes a decline in mental ability, affecting memory, thinking, and social skills.
• Dementedness (noun): The state of being demented.

Different Meanings

• In a more casual sense, "demented" can refer to someone acting in a way that is wildly irrational or chaotic, even if they are not actually mentally ill.
• It can also be used humorously in informal contexts, for example, "That demented dance move was hilarious!"

Synonyms

• Crazy
• Insane
• Mad
• Deranged
• Unhinged

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

• "Drive someone demented": To make someone very upset or annoyed.
  • Example: Her constant questions were starting to drive me demented!

Conclusion

"Demented" is a strong word that typically refers to serious mental health issues. However, it can also be used in lighter contexts to describe silly or irrational behavior.

Academic

Adjective

1. affected with madness or insanity
   • a man who had gone mad

Synonyms

• brainsick
• crazy
• disturbed
• mad
• sick
• unbalanced
• unhinged