maniacal

adjective

ma·​ni·​a·​cal mə-ˈnī-ə-kəl 

variants or less commonly maniac

ˈmā-nē-ˌak 

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

maniacally

mə-ˈnī-ə-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• psychotic [sometimes offensive]
• mad
• crazed [sometimes offensive]
• insane
• crazy [usually offensive]

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

Yet what starts as sensible due diligence becomes maniacal overpreparation. —Melissa Sierra, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025

The Redeem Team’s most entertaining stories revolve around Bryant’s maniacal work ethic. —Skyler Trepel Published, EW.com, 10 Aug. 2025

Jack the Clown will reign over his entourage of malicious jugglers, maniacal dancers and evil fortune tellers. —Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025

But also, the Big Ten’s maniacal College Football Playoff push and, of course, realignment. —Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 30 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French maniaque "mad, frenzied" & its source, Late Latin maniacus + -al entry 1 — more at maniac entry 1

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for maniacal

• demoniacal

Kids Definition

maniacal

adjective

ma·​ni·​a·​cal mə-ˈnī-ə-kəl 

variants also maniac

ˈmā-nē-ˌak 

: affected with or suggestive of madness

maniacally

mə-ˈnī-ə-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

maniacal

adjective

ma·​ni·​a·​cal mə-ˈnī-ə-kəl 

variants also maniac

ˈmā-nē-ak 

: manic

maniacally

mə-ˈnī-ə-k(ə-)lē 

adverb