Definition

Someone who is disturbed or upset in their mind, often behaving in a strange or irrational way.

Example

The movie's villain was portrayed as a deranged individual who could not distinguish between reality and fantasy.

Conversation

Did you hear about that guy in the news?

Yeah, it sounds like he was a bit deranged to do something like that.

I can't believe how someone could get so out of control.

Right? It's really scary to think about what people are capable of.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Deranged is formed from "de-" (meaning down or away) and "range" (from Old French *ranger*, meaning to arrange or put in order). The word describes a state of being taken away from a proper order or arrangement, often referring to mental instability.

Memory Tip

Think of being 'taken away' ('de-') from a proper 'order' ('range') — that's why deranged means being out of order or mentally unstable.

Visually Confused Words