unhinge

verb

un·​hinge ˌən-ˈhinj 

unhinged; unhinging; unhinges

transitive verb

1

: to make unstable : unsettle, disrupt

unhinge the balance of world peace

pressure that would unhinge a less experienced person

2

: to remove from the hinges

unhinge a door

Synonyms

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

Examples of unhinge in a Sentence

the endless harassment by the guards completely unhinged the prisoners of war

I was momentarily unhinged by the unexpected question.

Recent Examples on the Web

The next clip in the montage shows a backyard patio roof coming unhinged in a downpour. —Andre Byik, USA TODAY, 11 Oct. 2024

What began 40 years ago as a very fringe, occasionally unhinged, wholly unfiltered fashion-palooza is now—not unlike many Parisian houses, and the industry at large—facing a time of transition. —Tina Isaac-Goizé, Vogue, 13 Oct. 2024

So that felt like an interesting mix of sweet, but unhinged, as well. —Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Sep. 2024

Brooke’s fateful move is merely to take a job at a foundation dedicated to giving away the fortune accumulated by an office-supply magnate named Asher Jaffee, but the proximity to so much money unhinges her. —Laura Miller, The New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

unhinge

verb

un·​hinge ˌən-ˈhinj 

1

: unsettle sense 2, disrupt

a mind unhinged by grief

2

: to remove (as a door) from the hinges