English Meaning & Definitions
To cause someone to become insane or mentally unsound.
- “The prolonged isolation and trauma seemed to derange his once-brilliant mind.”
- “She feared that the relentless stress of the trial would derange her completely.”
To throw into disorder or disarrange; to disrupt the normal functioning or arrangement of something.
- “A sudden tremor could derange the delicate alignment of the telescope's mirrors.”
- “The unexpected economic crisis tended to derange the government's carefully laid plans.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “derange”.
Derived from the Old French verb 'désranger', formed from the prefix 'dés-' (expressing reversal or undoing, from Latin 'dis-') + 'ranger' (to put in order, rank, or row). It entered the English language in the late 16th century initially meaning to disturb the arrangement of something, later shifting metaphorically to describe the disruption of the mind.
Think of 'de-' (removing) plus 'range' (orderly line). When you remove order from someone's mental range, you derange them.
Frequently Asked Questions About “derange”
1. What is the meaning of “derange” in English?
In English, derange (verb) is defined as: “To cause someone to become insane or mentally unsound.”.
2. How do you use “derange” in a sentence?
“The prolonged isolation and trauma seemed to derange his once-brilliant mind.”
3. What are English synonyms of “derange”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “derange”?
Derived from the Old French verb 'désranger', formed from the prefix 'dés-' (expressing reversal or undoing, from Latin 'dis-') + 'ranger' (to put in order, rank, or row). It entered the English language in the late 16th century initially meaning to disturb the arrangement of something, later shifting metaphorically to describe the disruption of the mind.
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