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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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unhinge

This word is typically used to describe someone who has become mentally unbalanced due to stress or traumatic events. It has a strong, often dramatic connotation.

  • The tragic accident unhinged him, and he was never the same again
disturb

This word is used to describe something that causes a person to feel anxious, upset, or uneasy. It is less intense and can refer to temporary feelings.

  • I was disturbed by the graphic scenes in the movie
unsettle

This word is used when something creates a sense of discomfort or unease, often disrupting someone's sense of stability or peace. It can be both mild or slightly stronger.

  • The sudden change in leadership unsettled the employees
derange

This word implies a severe, often permanent mental disorder. It is more intense than the other synonyms and carries a negative connotation.

  • His obsession with perfection began to derange his mind

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

Etymology

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.