lunacy Definition
- 1the state of being mentally ill, especially in a way that is dangerous or violent
- 2extreme foolishness or irrationality
Using lunacy: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "lunacy" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The killer's defense was based on his alleged lunacy at the time of the crime.
Example
It would be sheer lunacy to invest all your money in one stock.
Example
The idea that the earth is flat is pure lunacy.
Example
The company's decision to lay off its most experienced workers was an act of lunacy.
lunacy Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for lunacy
Antonyms for lunacy
Idioms Using lunacy
Example
The idea that the earth is flat is howling lunacy.
a humorous way of saying that mental illness is common in a particular family
Example
My grandfather was insane, my father was insane, and now I think lunacy runs in the family.
Example
She couldn't explain why she kept going back to him, except to say that the lunacy of love had taken over.
Phrases with lunacy
a legal defense strategy that claims the defendant was not responsible for their actions due to mental illness
Example
The defendant's lawyers entered a plea of lunacy, arguing that he was not in control of his actions at the time of the crime.
a section of a hospital or institution that specializes in treating patients with severe mental illness
Example
After his breakdown, he was committed to a lunacy ward for several months.
a place or situation that attracts people who are eccentric, crazy, or otherwise unusual
Example
The small town became a lunacy magnet for artists and writers seeking inspiration.
Origins of lunacy
from Old French 'lunaire', meaning 'moonstruck'
Summary: lunacy in Brief
The term 'lunacy' [ˈluːnəsi] refers to the state of being mentally ill, often in a dangerous or violent way, or to extreme foolishness or irrationality. It can be used in legal contexts, as in 'lunacy plea,' or in medical contexts, as in 'lunacy ward.' The phrase 'howling lunacy' denotes extreme madness, while 'lunacy of love' describes the irrational behavior associated with being in love.
