Unglued

To become detached or separated, especially due to a loss of adhesive or emotional control. This term describes a state of disintegration, whether physical or psychological. It signifies a break in the bond or connection that once held something together, ranging from literal separation to a loss of composure or rational thought. The word encompasses both a mechanical failure of adhesion and a figurative breakdown in a person's mental or emotional state, indicating a loss of stability and control.

Unglued meaning with examples

• The old photo album, battered by years, finally came unglued. The family pictures scattered across the floor as the binding gave way. The glue, weakened by time and humidity, could no longer hold the pages together, representing a tangible manifestation of age and deterioration. It was a physical ungluing, a simple failure of the material, leaving a mess of memories on the floor.
• After the unexpected news of her job loss, Sarah completely unglued. Tears streamed down her face, her voice cracked as she began to yell and pace erratically. She had become Unglued, her composure shattered by the sudden shock, unable to process the information rationally. This metaphorical ungluing highlighted her emotional distress and the breakdown of her ability to cope with a crisis.
• The chaotic political debate quickly Unglued, with each candidate interrupting the other, making personal attacks, and speaking over each other without making any sense. The arguments got more and more illogical. The expected civility and the organized structure dissolved entirely. The ungluing of the debate was evident, as order dissolved, and communication became impossible. This reflected a breakdown in the social contract and the rules of discourse.
• The model airplane, carefully constructed over weeks, Unglued in mid-flight when a sudden updraft hit. The wings separated from the fuselage, and the pieces began to fall from the sky. The careful work became a failure. It exemplified an ungluing, a complete physical disintegration in real-time, illustrating the delicate balance and potential for destruction inherent in the object's design and its construction.