MANIACAL Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

maniacal

adjective

mə-ˈnī-ə-kəl

variants also maniac

Definition of maniacal

as in psychotic

unable to think in a clear or sensible way The show's maniacal villain has no method to his madness.

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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 maniacal One of Anthropic’s great strengths compared to its archrival OpenAI is its maniacal focus. — Rob Toews, Forbes.com, 22 June 2026 Gilmore said before unleashing a maniacal laugh. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 11 June 2026 Bardem is captivating and formidable, grinning with maniacal glee at his every act of depravity and the fear and anguish of his victims. — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 June 2026 The two auteurs share a flair for spinning societal critique into maniacal physical comedy. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for maniacal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for maniacal

Adjective

Psychiatric disorders are generally divided into mood disorders and psychotic disorders, Osborne said; postpartum psychosis is a mood disorder, in which mood symptoms accompany psychotic symptoms.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
But to make some generalization that all career women are psychotic because Glenn Close happened to be psychotic at the end of that movie is just silly.

— Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of psychotic

Adjective

Frequent zoom-ins shown on screens showed sweat dripping down his face, and his hair resembled something similar to a mad scientist after an experiment blows up in their face.

— Joseph Hernandez August 13, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2026
These statements and actions, some conservatives said at the time in a finger-wagging tone, demonstrated that mass suicide at the feet of a power-mad dictator was the predictable result of radical left-wing politics.

— James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of mad

Adjective

Marshall had been charged with defrauding his mother’s estate of millions by inducing her to change her will in his favor after her mental capacity had faded.

— Robert D. Mcfadden, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026
Family businesses can build in legal safeguards, such as mandatory retirement ages or mental capacity evaluations, according to Rahn.

— Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of mental

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maniac

maniacal

maniacs

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“Maniacal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maniacal. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of maniacal

adjective

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