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

Huet succeeds in humanizing Daedone, who had an abusive father and a punishing childhood, and whose motivations come to seem understandable, if maniacal. —Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025

Veneziale then takes part in the action, dressing up as a maniacal clown. —Laura Kiniry, Popular Science, 22 Oct. 2025

Might the delivery and direction have been more raw, more disturbing — maybe the choice for a hint of maniacal ? —Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2025

As the song reached the second appearance of the controversial lyric, Michael went from maniacal anger back to smoothly singing the new lines. —Dan Beck, Variety, 21 Oct. 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