derange

verb

de·​range di-ˈrānj 

deranged; deranging

transitive verb

1

: to disturb the operation or functions of

deranged by even the slightest damage

2

: disarrange

hatless, with tie deranged

—G. W. Stonier

3

: to make mentally unsound

derangement

di-ˈrānj-mənt 

noun

Synonyms

• crack
• craze
• frenzy
• loco
• madden
• unbalance
• unhinge
• unstring

Examples of derange in a Sentence

being stranded at night on a lonely road would derange anyone

the storage room had all been deranged by the earthquake, and it took hours to sort things out

Recent Examples on the Web

Written in black and white, the attacks look deranged. —Oliver Darcy, CNN, 31 May 2023

The busy, fevered covers—everyone looks deranged—practically shout for a browser’s attention, in contrast to the subtler ones gracing later Clowes books like Wilson (2010) and Patience (2016). —Ed Park, The New York Review of Books, 14 Mar. 2023

But in her new album Workin’ on a World, that goodness is now deranged. —Armond White, National Review, 28 Apr. 2023

Where could a show this beautifully deranged go from here? —Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

French déranger, from Old French desrengier, from des- de- + reng line, row — more at rank entry 1

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

derange

verb

de·​range di-ˈrānj 

deranged; deranging

1

: to put out of order : disarrange

hair deranged by the wind

2

often offensive : to make insane

derangement

-mənt 

noun