dementia

noun

di-ˈmen(t)-shə How to pronounce dementia (audio)
Definition of dementianext
as in schizophrenia
a serious mental disorder that prevents one from living a safe and normal life doctors were able to treat the patient's dementia with drugs and thus allow him to function on his own

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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 dementia The link between frequent, accidental naps and dementia remained just as strong, suggesting that changes in napping habits can show up years before a formal diagnosis. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026 Oz said the number of dementia cases is expected to more than double to 14 million people by 2060. — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026 Not only is a cup of tea highly enjoyable, but it has long been associated with health benefits, including a lower risk of heart disease, stroke and dementia. — Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026 But in diseases known as tauopathies, including Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia, tau can misfold. — Mike McRae 13, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dementia
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dementia
  1. schizophrenia
  2. insanity
  3. hysteria
  4. madness
  5. instability
Noun
  • He had previously been involuntarily admitted to hospital with schizophrenia.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The victim's wife said her son was diagnosed with schizophrenia five years ago and recently changed medications, which changed his behavior.
    — WCCO Staff, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of schizophrenia
Noun
  • Bennett asked the jury to find Hinton not guilty by reason of insanity.
    — Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026
  • That sentence would have sounded like insanity a few decades ago, but in the strange world of Hollywood in the 2020s, weirder might really be better.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of insanity
Noun
  • Arizona was in the throes of anti-immigrant hysteria in 2010.
    — Michael Kiefer, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Their afflictions have been called everything from hysteria to demonic possession.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of hysteria
Noun
  • Researchers propose theories and typologies of madness and offer advice for health-care professionals.
    — Sam Kestenbaum, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Players must solve puzzles using the camera to try to break the cycle of madness.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of madness
Noun
  • Try not to decide immediately that change equals instability.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Workforce transformation, talent instability, declining trust, AI and technological acceleration were also selected almost as frequently.
    — Carol Geffner, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of instability

Browse Nearby Words

dementedness
dementia
demerit
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dementia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dementia. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dementia

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dementia

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