adjective

demented

di-MEN-tid/dɪˈmentɪd/

Mentally disturbed or wildly irrational.

The character attacks his own furniture in a demented rage.

A man wildly attacks his own upholstered armchair with garden shears, cutting into the cushions as stuffing flies, while a startled bystander recoils.

Etymology

deLatinaway from

+mentLatinmind

+edEnglishpast-participle ending

Being 'away from one's mind' supplies the image of losing ordinary reason. From obsolete dement, 'drive mad,' probably borrowed from French, the adjective describes someone acting wildly or irrationally.

In context

DoctorRamani1:04

narcissistic people aren't demented or frankly delusional they are able to see that there are consequences to their behavior

Dr. Ramani Reveals How Narcissists Know You Know

More examples

The plan seemed demented.
She rejected the hurtful label demented.
The narrator described a demented outburst.

Forms

demented

Similar words

irrational: The more neutral description of unreasonable behavior.
frenzied: Emphasizes uncontrolled excitement rather than mental disturbance.