1
as in dementia
a serious mental disorder that prevents one from living a safe and normal life
his incurable insanity requires that he spend the rest of his life in a mental hospital
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in absurdity
a foolish act or idea
everyone laughed at the latest insanity from the town eccentric
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in madness
lack of good sense or judgment
had the insanity to think that taking over a government building in protest of our foreign policy was a good idea
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of insanity
Despite the evidence presented, the jury rejected the insanity defense.
—
Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 6 Jan. 2026
If Reiner is found not guilty by reason of insanity then he would likely be committed to a mental health facility.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Nick Reiner could face the potential death penalty if convicted, although California has placed a moratorium on executions, and his attorneys are expected to present an insanity defense after reports that the 32-year-old has been diagnosed with schizophrenia.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 1 Jan. 2026
With her signature deadpan sarcasm and round glasses, Daria critiqued suburban life and the insanity of high school popularity contests with wit and honesty.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insanity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insanity
Noun
-
Memory loss, cognitive decline, anxiety, sleep disruption, dementia and cardiovascular disease are all known risks of long-term alcohol use, as well as liver complications like fatty liver disease.—
-
In order to fully get away with the crimes, Alice faked having dementia, so no one would ever suspect her.—
Noun
-
But the comedians also used those laughs to reveal the fundamental absurdity of violence and conflict.—
-
Rather than focusing solely on superpowers, the series leans into the absurdities and insecurities of the entertainment industry, pulling back the curtain on fame, failure, and second chances.—
Noun
-
But there was some method to the madness here, as UConn, which didn’t take a free throw in the first half, took 18 in the second half and OT.—
-
Ditlevsen writes beautifully, and her sly and specific humor always manages to both undercut and deepen the madness and love in all of her books.—
Noun
-
Your mother’s people, her father had told her ominously, on more than one occasion, are prone to hysteria.—
-
The hysteria about a superior race, the insistence that all would be well if one insidious group was purged—those doctrines had been entirely defeated.—
Noun
-
So please excuse my ignorance and stupidity here, but.—
-
That’s how stupidity often is—causing problems, but also presenting opportunities.—
Noun
-
Behind the classy presentation is a working-class spirit, one that honors the simplicity of showing up, being yourself and doing your job.—
-
The rover’s two-wheel design reflects UEL’s emphasis on surface mobility and system simplicity.—
Noun
-
Against that backdrop, Nick was reportedly being treated for schizophrenia before the deaths of his parents.—
-
The mental state of Nick Reiner, who struggled for years with substance abuse and had been prescribed a schizophrenia drug, has now taken center stage in his legal battle.—
Noun
-
Telling the story of the clashing egos and raging idiocy of the fictional Spinal Tap, Reiner both directed and starred as the filmmaker-within-the-film Marty DiBergi.—
-
Advertisement Aster keenly satirizes Joe’s idiocy in the face of social upheaval through the iconography of Westerns.—
Cite this Entry
“Insanity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insanity. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share