bedlam Definition
- 1a scene of uproar and confusion
- 2an insane asylum or psychiatric hospital
Using bedlam: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "bedlam" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The stadium was bedlam after the home team won the championship.
Example
The office was bedlam on the last day of the quarter.
Example
The patient was sent to bedlam for treatment.
bedlam Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for bedlam
- pandemonium
- turmoil
- madhouse
- chaos
- psychiatric hospital
Phrases with bedlam
Example
The announcement created bedlam in the classroom.
bedlam reigns
a situation where there is complete chaos and confusion
Example
During the power outage, bedlam reigned in the city streets.
Example
After the accident, he suffered from bedlam in the brain and couldn't remember anything.
Origins of bedlam
from the name of a hospital in London, St. Mary of Bethlehem Hospital, which became known for its inhumane treatment of patients
Summary: bedlam in Brief
The term 'bedlam' [ˈbedləm] refers to a scene of uproar and confusion, as in 'The stadium was bedlam after the home team won the championship.' It can also refer to an insane asylum or psychiatric hospital, as in 'The patient was sent to bedlam for treatment.' Phrases like 'create bedlam' and 'bedlam reigns' denote situations of chaos and confusion, while 'bedlam in the brain' describes a state of extreme mental distress.
