lunacy
noun
\
Definition of lunacy
1 dated
a : insanity sense 1
b : intermittent insanity once believed to be related to phases of the moon
2 : wild foolishness : extravagant folly
3 : a foolish act
Keep scrolling for more
Synonyms & Antonyms for lunacy
Synonyms
absurdity, asininity, balminess, brainlessness, craziness, daftness, dippiness, dottiness, fatuity, fatuousness, folly, foolishness, imbecility, inanity, insanity, madness, nonsensicalness, nuttiness, preposterousness, senselessness, silliness, simplicity, wackiness, witlessness, zaniness
Antonyms
prudence, sagaciousness, sagacity, sageness, sanity, sapience, sensibleness, soundness, wisdom
Visit the Thesaurus for More
Examples of lunacy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Despite being an Arizona senator for the past 32 years, he’s done nothing to address the open-border lunacy and invasion that’s increased crime and strained the resources of his own state. — Ed Stockly, latimes.com, "Calendar Letters: Jane Pauley, John McCain, Roseanne Barr and more," 31 May 2018 Three centuries ago, notes the narrator— Willem Dafoe reading a text by the director and Robert Macfarlane —climbing a mountain would have been considered an act of lunacy. — Joe Morgenstern, WSJ, "‘Mountain’ Review: Such Great Heights," 24 May 2018 The film’s thesis is that, until three centuries ago, it was deemed an act of lunacy to climb such a mountain. — Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, "Documentary ‘Mountain’ has glorious panoramas," 1 June 2018 There are more than just a few Sapphic suggestions here, along with the religious lunacy, sadism, hallucinations, magic realism and a visual vocabulary rooted in horror. — John Anderson, WSJ, "‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’ Review: No Walk in the Park," 24 May 2018 The influences of soul, rock, English folk, jazz, jug band and a heavy dose of industrial English LSD lunacy! — Ron Hart, Billboard, "Small Faces' 'Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake' Turns 50: Phil Collen, Peter Frampton, Linda Thompson & More Pay Tribute," 24 May 2018 This is how hip-hop, the black intellectual scene, and our leadership eroded to the point of self-immolating lunacy. — T.d. Williams, The Root, "How the West Was Lost," 26 Apr. 2018 Smith offers a welcomed happy medium between Johnson – who described himself as the dad driving a car filled with uncontrollable kids – and the lunacy of Chuck and Shaq’s rivalry. — Michelle R. Martinelli, For The Win, "Dear Knicks: Please don't hire Kenny Smith, ruin best basketball show on TV," 20 Apr. 2018 The height of the evening's lunacy came when Jed Lowrie, battling Wilmer Font as if a playoff berth was on the line, capped an 11-pitch at-bat with a three-run homer in the ninth as the game approached the four-hour mark. — Mike Digiovanna, latimes.com, "Alex Wood is ineffective as Dodgers give up 21 hits in loss to Athletics," 12 Apr. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lunacy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for lunacy
lunacy
noun
\
Medical Definition of lunacy
: mental illness also : intermittent mental illness once believed to be related to phases of the moon
lunacy
noun
\
Legal Definition of lunacy
: insanity
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on lunacy
What made you want to look up lunacy? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Words from Greek and Roman Mythology Quiz
-
- Boreal comes from the name of the ancient Greek god of which wind?
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Share lunacy
Resources for lunacy