schizophrenic
11
8.4
- adjective
- /ˌskɪtsəˈfrɛnɪk/
- Slur
:
esquizofrénico (ofensivo)
- His schizophrenic opinions about the project make it hard for the team to understand his vision.
- very schizophrenic
- somewhat schizophrenic
- almost schizophrenic
In that world, you're following someone who is kind of schizophrenic.
- In that world, you're following someone who is kind of schizophrenic.
Examples
-
I believe failure to do so sends a schizophrenic message to young people.
Blog text (8) -
The result is a system of justice that is schizophrenic and at times appalling.
Blog text (6) -
The human being has kind of a schizophrenic way of understanding him or herself.
-
America must appear absolutely schizophrenic to everybody else in the world.
Blog text (30) -
Apple's sort of schizophrenic approach to professional products.
-
Basically, Kentucky is a is a very Republican state on the federal level, but it is schizophrenic on the state level.
-
Washington's relationship with Wall Street is growing more schizophrenic by the day.
Blog text (23) -
Our relationship with Europe has always been a bit schizophrenic: we are either dominating or disengaged.
Academic text (2000) -
The fact that we can't get condom ads on television is part of our schizophrenic society.
Academic text (2007) -
The politician's schizophrenic stance on climate change left voters confused about her true beliefs.
Synonyms
19
7.9
Showing sudden changes in mood, like going from happy to angry
12
6.5
Tends to change mood suddenly and act in an unexpected way
Antonyms
Compounds
- Specialized
1
8.1
A serious mental illness that makes people lose contact with reality and withdraw from others
- Specialized
1
9.9
A serious mental illness where a person loses touch with reality and talks or thinks in a confused way
- Specialized
A short time when someone suddenly has severe symptoms of schizophrenia
How Inconsistent
72
6.1
- Slur
11
8.4
96
4.7
67
3.6
92
3.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
schizophrenic = schizophrenia (semi-transparent) = schizophrenia + ic
The adjective is formed regularly from 'schizophrenia' but this sense is a metaphorical/figurative extension (behavioural unpredictability) rather than the clinical meaning.
Etymology
A helpful way to remember the non-medical use of schizophrenic is to see schizo- 'split' and -phren 'mind' and think of something that seems divided or shows very different sides. That's why people also use the word for behaviour, plans, or situations that are mixed and unpredictable.