1
as in mad
unable to think in a clear or sensible way
After learning of the robbery, they were insane with anger and foolishly searched the neighborhood looking for their belongings.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in absurd
conceived or made without regard for reason or reality
a completely insane plan to build an opera house in the middle of nowhere
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stupid
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment
an insane plan to blow all of their savings on lottery tickets
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in excessive
going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount
wanted an insane amount of money to paint our house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of insane
Cleveland also clinched on Saturday, walking it off with a bases loaded hit-by-pitch to cap an insane postseason run.
—
Sam Blum, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
The first game famously took thirst-trap renditions of the Greek pantheon and imbued each figure with an insane amount of charm.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
Starting the competition off with a bang with the cape and then moving right into killing the athleisure [challenge] was just insane.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 27 Sep. 2025
But the Democratic mayor doubled down on his insane lack of empathy.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insane
Sam Blum, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
The first game famously took thirst-trap renditions of the Greek pantheon and imbued each figure with an insane amount of charm.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
Starting the competition off with a bang with the cape and then moving right into killing the athleisure [challenge] was just insane.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 27 Sep. 2025
But the Democratic mayor doubled down on his insane lack of empathy.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insane
Adjective
-
Don’t be mad, and don’t try to hold them back with guilt.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Karl turned on the headlights and got the windshield wipers going at a mad slap.—
Ann Patchett,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This aspect will always cast her apart, even today, in the sense that a woman’s naked body is still perceived by audiences as something that stands out for some absurd reason, unfortunately.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Their vote to shut down the government is absurd.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The name-calling and the stupid AI and the imagery has got to stop.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Sep. 2025
-
These kids are being stupid and absurd and reckless and not thinking about anything other than what’s directly in front of their faces.—
Will Leitch,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Just don't glaze because that's heaping someone with excessive and insincere praise.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Typically, when there is an outbreak of hemorrhagic disease, Tennessee saw excessive rain in spring and early summer with dry coditions in late summer, the agency said.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Plus, Jeremiah had to still be winded by busting out that extended dance remix of his maniacal villain laugh from back on the beach.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 Oct. 2025
-
In a desperate attempt to stop The Entity, President Erika Sloane (Angela Bassett) locates Ethan, who is now a rogue agent, and asks him to achieve the impossible by finding a way to shut the maniacal AI down.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Tactically, the most notable feature of the final was how regularly the two goalkeepers found themselves in bizarre positions, rushing out to close down attackers in wide areas.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Shortly after the in-person meeting, Kacie bowed out in one of the most bizarre breakups ever shown.—
Emily Longeretta,
Variety,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In fact, let’s get completely crazy and predict that Hanley goes absolutely haywire this year to the tune of … three goals!—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
This is crazy and continues to erode the public health system and the public trust in vaccines.—
Pien Huang,
NPR,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
During the third quarter, Fever star Kelsey Mitchell left the court due to extreme cramping in her lower body.—
Frank Nunns O'Connell,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
-
But the plan roundly ignores the contributions of climate change to the state's extreme heat problem.—
Joan Meiners,
AZCentral.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Insane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insane. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share