maniacal
adjective
ma·ni·a·cal
mə-ˈnī-ə-kəl 
variants
or less commonly maniac
1
: affected with or suggestive of madness
maniacal laughter
maniacal energy
a maniacal killer
2
: characterized by ungovernable excitement or frenzy : frantic
a maniacal mob
maniacal fans
Synonyms of maniacal
Examples of maniacal in a Sentence
the movie's villain was a just a clichéd axe-wielding nutcase with a maniacal laugh
Recent Examples on the Web
Back then, in the musical adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis‘ best-seller — with music and lyrics by Duncan Sheik and a book by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa — Doctor Who star Matt Smith took on New York yuppie and increasingly maniacal investment banker Patrick Bateman.
—
Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
Crosby expressed his excitement to now turn his maniacal football passion toward Baltimore, joining new head coach Jesse Minter in ushering in a new era after John Harbaugh’s 18-season tenure in charge.
—Devon Henderson, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Americans should look to that history in setting expectations for what happens next in Iran now that another batch of maniacal Middle East murderers have been sent hurtling through the gates of hell.
—Nolan Finley, Twin Cities, 6 Mar. 2026
Clearly, a straight line can be drawn from Lola to Moira Rose, the maniacal former soap-opera star, wig enthusiast, and erratic wife/mom on Schitt’s Creek (for which Catherine won an Emmy and a Golden Globe).
—Merrill Markoe, Rolling Stone, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for maniacal
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Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
Crosby expressed his excitement to now turn his maniacal football passion toward Baltimore, joining new head coach Jesse Minter in ushering in a new era after John Harbaugh’s 18-season tenure in charge.
—Devon Henderson, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Americans should look to that history in setting expectations for what happens next in Iran now that another batch of maniacal Middle East murderers have been sent hurtling through the gates of hell.
—Nolan Finley, Twin Cities, 6 Mar. 2026
Clearly, a straight line can be drawn from Lola to Moira Rose, the maniacal former soap-opera star, wig enthusiast, and erratic wife/mom on Schitt’s Creek (for which Catherine won an Emmy and a Golden Globe).
—Merrill Markoe, Rolling Stone, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for maniacal
Cite this Entry
“Maniacal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maniacal. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
maniacal
adjective
ma·ni·a·cal
mə-ˈnī-ə-kəl
variants
also maniac
: affected with or suggestive of madness
Medical Definition
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