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insane

insane

265 4.1
Very foolish and risky because of bad judgment
  • adjective
  • /ɪnˈseɪn/
  • Offensive
: [OFENSIVO] loco
  • I think it would be insane for her to do so.

OK, maybe you could do the lighter end, like an insane fee for photographers.

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Examples

  • You know, it's, it's insane the way we treat our planet.

  • The lack of affordable housing is insane in LA, guys.

  • I mean, do you realize how insane you sound?

  • Okay, this whole thing is insane.

  • So I thought it was insane that Julie, our boss, insisted on keeping the store open.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • You're keeping an insane schedule seven days a week.

  • I wrote about navigating our insane healthcare system.

  • "Engaging in this is not just irresponsible, it is insane," he said.

    Academic text (1990)
  • "Cars were whizzing by, and she knew this was insane behavior, but she was feverish with anger."

    Fiction book (1999)
  • It was insane to think that he could finish the project in one day.

Synonyms

nuts
vsinsane
  • Offensive
578 8.6

Very crazy or doing things that show bad judgment

is a more formal description of extreme foolish or reckless acts
absurd
vsinsane
284 4.4

So silly or unreasonable that it makes no sense

focuses more on reckless, foolish action rather than pure illogic
crazed
vsinsane
89 5.0

Acting in a wild and uncontrolled way

emphasizes foolishness and poor judgment rather than only wild action
deranged
vsinsane
  • Offensive
72 7.6

Not able to think or act in a normal, reasonable way

is about extreme foolishness or recklessness rather than clinical illness
nutty
vsinsane
  • Informal
64 7.2

Being a little crazy in a funny or strange way

is more severe, indicating extreme foolishness or recklessness
mad
vsinsane
  • Informal
45 3.3

Very foolish and not sensible

is about extreme recklessness and lack of sensible judgment
bonkers
vsinsane
  • Informal
28 8.0

Acting or feeling very strange

is a more neutral label for extreme foolish or reckless conduct
maniacal
vsinsane
16 8.6

Very wild and out of control, seeming crazy

is less about frenzy and more about foolish, reckless choices
harebrained
vsinsane
  • Informal
9 8.5

An idea or plan that is very foolish and not well thought out

is broader, covering reckless behaviour as well as bad ideas
raving mad
vsinsane
  • Informal
7 7.2

Acting or speaking in a wild, not sensible way

is similarly extreme but centers on foolishness and poor judgment
cracked
vsinsane
  • Offensive
7 7.4

Someone who acts a little crazy

is stronger, describing truly reckless or unreasonable behaviour
insane in the membrane
vsinsane
  • Slang
2 9.8

Acting or feeling very silly and not thinking clearly, often as a joke

is a straightforward description of genuine reckless or unreasonable actions
half-crazed
vsinsane
2 7.8

Very frightened or upset and not thinking clearly

is more absolute, describing full lack of sensible judgment
nutty as a fruitcake
vsinsane
  • Informal
1 9.0

Very strange and silly in a way that seems crazy

is a direct, non-colourful term for dangerous foolishness or recklessness
meshugana
vsinsane
  • Offensive
1 9.9

Very silly or clearly crazy

is the less slangy description focusing on reckless poor judgment
meshugga
vsinsane
  • Slang
1 9.9

Acting very silly and not thinking clearly

casts the same idea more formally as extreme foolishness and recklessness
off one's nut
vsinsane
  • Offensive
9.9

Acting in a very strange and not sensible way

is a more general term for extreme foolishness and lack of sense

Antonyms

347 3.8

Based on clear thinking and facts rather than emotion

185 2.7

Showing good judgment and making practical choices

Idioms

Acting or feeling very silly and not thinking clearly, often as a joke

Compounds

15 9.9

A hospital for people with serious mental health problems, now an old and offensive word

How Foolish

insane
  • Offensive
265 4.1
reckless
221 3.6
unreasonable
131 3.0
foolish
383 1.3
silly
944 1.0

Surface Forms

insane positive

Morphology

insane = sane (transparent) = in + sane

This sense is a straightforward negative formation from 'sane', and the meaning naturally extends to 'extremely foolish or unreasonable'.

Etymology

Insane comes from the Latin parts in- meaning 'not' and sanus meaning 'healthy' or sane. So calling something 'insane' can mean it is so foolish or reckless that it seems not to come from a 'healthy' mind.