Definitions

off the deep end

ADJECTIVE

imprudent

Synonyms

STRONGEST

careless foolhardy foolish ill-advised ill-considered irresponsible reckless thoughtless unwise

WEAK

brash heedless ill-judged impolitic improvident incautious inconsiderate indiscreet inexpedient injudicious leaving self wide open overhasty playing with fire rash temerarious unadvisable unthinking

Antonyms

STRONGEST

attentive careful cautious kind mindful prudent responsible sensible thoughtful wise

WEAK

discreet

ADJECTIVE

risky

Synonyms

STRONGEST

delicate dicey hazardous perilous precarious sensitive speculative treacherous tricky uncertain unhealthy unsafe unsound

WEAK

chancy endangered fraught with danger going for broke hairy hanging by a thread iffy insecure jeopardous long shot not a prayer on slippery ground on thin ice on-the-spot out on a limb playing with fire rocky ticklish touch-and-go touchy venturesome wicked wide-open

Antonyms

STRONGEST

certain definite harmless healthy honest insensitive protected safe secure stable strong sure well

WEAK

assured

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Johnson is so cowed by accusations of fraud that he appears to have gone directly off the deep end.

From Salon • Jun. 27, 2025

“People have problems, but you don’t expect them to go off the deep end like that,” Letarte said.

From Washington Times • Oct. 27, 2023

Last week, Vantage also sent customers waiting for refunds off the deep end when it experienced a security incident that knocked its site offline.

From Seattle Times • May 1, 2023

Her untimely death prompts a heartbroken Padraic to go off the deep end.

From Washington Post • Mar. 1, 2023

“Yeah, I probably scared the poop out of them, going off the deep end like that.”

From "Blended" by Sharon M. Draper

off the deep end

Example Sentences

Related Words