Unhinge: meaning, definitions and examples

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unhinge

 

[ ʌnˈhɪndʒ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

mental health

To cause someone to become mentally unbalanced or disturbed, often as a result of a traumatic experience or emotional shock. It can also refer to the act of removing the hinges from something.

Synonyms

derange, disturb, unsettle

Examples of usage

  • She was so unhinged by the sudden loss of her job that she couldn't sleep for days.
  • The violent scene in the movie unhinged him, bringing back memories of his own past trauma.
  • If you unhinge the door, it will be easier to transport the furniture.

Translations

Translations of the word "unhinge" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desencadear

🇮🇳 अस्थिर करना

🇩🇪 aus den Angeln heben

🇮🇩 melepas engsel

🇺🇦 знімати з петель

🇵🇱 zdjąć z zawiasów

🇯🇵 取り外す

🇫🇷 dérailler

🇪🇸 desencajar

🇹🇷 menteşesini çıkarmak

🇰🇷 경첩을 풀다

🇸🇦 يخلع من المفصل

🇨🇿 vyjmout z pantů

🇸🇰 vysadiť z pántov

🇨🇳 卸下铰链

🇸🇮 snemiti iz tečajev

🇮🇸 taka af hjörunum

🇰🇿 топса алу

🇬🇪 გახსნა

🇦🇿 menteşəni çıxarmaq

🇲🇽 desencajar

Word origin

The word 'unhinge' originated in the late 17th century, derived from the combination of 'un-' as a prefix meaning 'not' and 'hinge' referring to the movable joint on a door or gate. Over time, the figurative sense of causing mental instability became more prominent. The word has been used in literature and psychology to describe the impact of stress and trauma on mental health.

See also: hinge, hinges.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,353, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.