insanity

noun

in-ˈsa-nə-tē How to pronounce insanity (audio)
Definition of insanitynext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in absurdity
a foolish act or idea everyone laughed at the latest insanity from the town eccentric

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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

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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 San Francisco trailed 6-1 at the time of Webb’s departure, and given Coors Field’s penchant for insanity, a comeback wasn’t out of the question. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 4 July 2026 Is there a level of insanity, vitriol and stupidity that is infiltrating almost every aspect of our modern society, regardless of your political or religious views? — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026 Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is calling for the impeachment of the Miami-Dade judge who acquitted a woman by reason of insanity in the 2021 death of her 15-month-old daughter, arguing the ruling threatens public safety. — Chelsea Jones, CBS News, 26 June 2026 Iraq, Canada, United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Qatar, Saudi Arabia After accidentally cursing President Saddam Hussein on stage, theater actor Salem convinces a military court of his insanity to escape a death sentence. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for insanity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insanity
  1. dementia
  2. absurdity
  3. madness
  4. hysteria
  5. stupidity
  6. simplicity
  7. schizophrenia
  8. idiocy
Noun
  • The lifetime cost of dementia care alone now exceeds $400,000 per person.
    — John Samuels, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • However, the study was observational and does not prove that caffeine directly prevents dementia.
    — Lauren Pastrana, CBS News, 29 June 2026
Definition of dementia
Noun
  • Swift will either ignore the noise as usual, or smile at the absurdity as a secure, proud childless cat lady.
    — Bryan West, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • Fireworks, flags and BBQs are Fourth of July staples, but America’s 250th birthday brings an extra helping of absurdity to Coney Island.
    — Geoff Clark OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of absurdity
Noun
  • In the midst of the final stretch of World Cup madness, here are eight shows happening in Kansas City in July.
    — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
  • Either Cody or Gunther wins because Sami gets screwed; Zayn will then further descend into madness and attack someone after the bell.
    — Darren Cooper, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of madness
Noun
  • And the hysteria over the centers seemed to be not as much about freedom, or competing educational philosophies, or politics at all, as about an ever-shrinking pot of money.
    — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
  • From causing supernatural events to creating hysteria, our orbiting nightlight has always had legends and folktales written about it.
    — Taylor Grothe, Parents, 28 June 2026
Definition of hysteria
Noun
  • Is there a level of insanity, vitriol and stupidity that is infiltrating almost every aspect of our modern society, regardless of your political or religious views?
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026
  • Warm, fuzzy feelings for noble stupidity are an American thing, especially in politics.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 4 July 2026
Definition of stupidity
Noun
  • Mixing knits with leather creates texture and contrast in the outfit, while the height and simplicity of these solid-color boots helps ground the overall look.
    — Abby Morgan Lebet, Glamour, 6 July 2026
  • Professionals must actively map where their risk truly lies, assessing counterparty exposure, income correlation, and cost repricing, rather than mistaking simplicity for safety.
    — Henrik Totterman, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of simplicity
Noun
  • But their loving, attentive mother soon began displaying signs of schizophrenia.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 3 July 2026
  • After Nijinsky began to show signs of schizophrenia, this mask, or persona, grew disturbed.
    — Cal Revely-Calder, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
Definition of schizophrenia
Noun
  • That’s the level of idiocy in the Los Angeles city government.
    — Susan Shelley, Daily News, 13 May 2026
  • The idiocy of these people knows no bounds.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Definition of idiocy

Browse Nearby Words

insanities
insanity
insatiable
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Cite this Entry

“Insanity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insanity. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on insanity

Nglish: Translation of insanity for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about insanity

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