insanity (B2)

noun

Pronunciation: /ɪnˈsænəti/

Definition

The state of being mentally ill; madness.

Examples

• The novel explores the descent into insanity of its protagonist.

• He was found not guilty by reason of insanity.

• The sheer scale of the destruction was a testament to the insanity of war.

How to Use insanity

by reason of insanity (prepositional phrase)

Used in a legal context to explain why someone is not held responsible for their actions. — "The defendant was found not guilty by reason of insanity."

Synonyms of insanity

Words with a similar meaning to insanity:

• madness
• craziness
• derangement
• lunacy

Antonyms of insanity

Words with the opposite meaning to insanity:

• sanity
• reason

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