insane

adjective

in·​sane (ˌ)in-ˈsān How to pronounce insane (audio)
1
a(1)
dated, now usually offensive : exhibiting a severely disordered state of mind
(2)
law : affected with insanity (see insanity sense 2)
criminally insane
b
: unable to think in a clear or sensible way
insane with jealousy
not used technically
2
now usually offensive : used by, typical of, or intended for people having a severely disordered state of mind
an insane asylum
3
: absurd
an insane scheme for making money
4
: outrageously high or extreme
making insane amounts of money
The monster truck pursued him at insane speeds …Hunter S. Thompson
More than 22,000 athletes descend on Philadelphia's Franklin Field to chug insane amounts of Gatorade …Chris Ballard
also : exceptionally good or impressive
Minnesota … has blazed out to an insane start, taking an early lead in the Northwest Division. Tom Wheatley
With his rough-edged baritone and ear for insane hooks, [reggae singer] Baby Cham always sounds wicked. Rob Kenner
insaneness noun

Examples of insane in a Sentence

The murderer was found to be criminally insane. She was insane with jealousy. He had an insane look in his eyes. She likes to drive at insane speeds. He had this insane idea that he could get rich by selling old computers.
Recent Examples on the Web Your voice is insane. Mary Colurso | McOlurso@al.com, al, 4 Apr. 2023 The Republican and right-wing reaction is just insane. Michael Tomasky, The New Republic, 31 Mar. 2023 But obviously winning the grand jury prize was insane. Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 31 Mar. 2023 That would be insane. Daniel Kohn, SPIN, 29 Mar. 2023 The things that people are saying are so insane! Clark Collis, EW.com, 23 Mar. 2023 And this is quite insane. Fortune Editors, Fortune, 22 Mar. 2023 And that is insane! Bianca Betancourt, Harper's BAZAAR, 13 Mar. 2023 This segment explores why March is just absolutely insane with high-profile shows. 3. Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'insane.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin insanus, from in- + sanus sane

First Known Use

1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of insane was in 1575

Dictionary Entries Near insane

Cite this Entry

“Insane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insane. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

insane

adjective
in·​sane (ˈ)in-ˈsān How to pronounce insane (audio)
1
: having or showing a very abnormal and very sick state of mind : not sane
an insane person
an insane look
2
: used by or for insane persons
an insane ward in a hospital
3
: extremely foolish or unreasonable
an insane attempt
insanely adverb

Medical Definition

insane

adjective
in·​sane (ˈ)in-ˈsān How to pronounce insane (audio)
1
dated, now usually offensive : exhibiting a severely disordered state of mind
2
law : affected with insanity (see insanity sense 2)
insanely adverb

Legal Definition

insane

adjective
in·​sane
: affected with insanity

More from Merriam-Webster on insane

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