unstring

verb

un·​string ˌən-ˈstriŋ 

unstrung ˌən-ˈstrəŋ  ; unstringing ˌən-ˈstriŋ-iŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to loosen or remove the strings of

2

: to remove from a string

3

: to make weak, disordered, or unstable

was unstrung by the news

Synonyms

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

Examples of unstring in a Sentence

the kind of fierce combat that can unstring even hardened soldiers

a little unstrung by the fact that he was on his first job interview

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

unstring

verb

un·​string ˌən-ˈstriŋ 

ˈən-

unstrung -ˈstrəŋ  ; unstringing -ˈstriŋ-iŋ 

1

: to loosen or remove the strings of

2

: to remove from a string

unstrung the beads

3

: to damage mentally or emotionally

unstrung by bad news