variants
or amuck
as in frantically
in a confused and reckless manner
returned to the classroom to find an escaped snake and her students running amok
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
or amuck
as in berserk
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of amok
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
The scariest change, though, is that in an America where guardrails have fallen, tech sector parasites run amok in our hands and heads and trust in government is close to nonexistent, what seemed totally implausible in 1996 now feels like reasonable societal comment.
—Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2021
See All Example Sentences for amok
Adverb
The scariest change, though, is that in an America where guardrails have fallen, tech-sector parasites run amok in our hands and heads, and trust in government is close to nonexistent, what seemed totally implausible in 1996 now feels like reasonable societal comment.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
The scariest change, though, is that in an America where guardrails have fallen, tech sector parasites run amok in our hands and heads and trust in government is close to nonexistent, what seemed totally implausible in 1996 now feels like reasonable societal comment.
—Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Wyatt Russell has been terrific as this avatar of male insecurity run wildly amok, but the script isn’t always doing him favors.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2021
See All Example Sentences for amok
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amok
Adverb
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Footage captures the chaotic initial response, with officers unsure if the shooter remained in the building and frantically searching for victims.—
Kimberlee Kruesi,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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At the same time, as influential tech journalist Casey Newton noted, TikTok’s algorithm seemed to fail immediately after the handover, leaving its largely Gen Z fanbase frantically seeking an alternative to the addictive feed.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This has unintended consequences when both Batel and Spock share a vision that sends Spock into a berserk rage.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
31 July 2025
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But that was before Watkins suffered a season-ending ACL tear and before UConn star Paige Bueckers went absolutely berserk, scoring 40 in the Sweet 16.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2025
Adverb
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Her wildly optimistic logic is that fiscal stimulus will spark growth, and that the private sector will raise long-stagnant wages, thereby increasing tax revenues.—
Jeff Kingston,
Time,
15 Feb. 2026
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The year was 1971, the HUD secretary was George Romney (father of future Utah senator Mitt), and the prediction was wildly off.—
Ben Christopher,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Last summer, Russia stood by powerlessly as US and Israeli war planes struck Iran, another key Russian Kremlin partner in the Middle East, targeting its nuclear facilities.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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The work focuses on dysprosium, a heavy rare-earth element used to improve heat resistance in magnets and stabilize nuclear control rods.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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The Edge Spa, perched on the side of a precipice overlooking Alexander Creek, showcases ingredients grown or wild-harvested on site.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
10 Dec. 2025
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Most of the region's black walnuts are currently wild-foraged and sold by the pound at local hulling centers.—
Randy Moll,
Arkansas Online,
11 Nov. 2025
Adverb
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Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle begins to slide uncontrollably on wet roads.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
18 Feb. 2026
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About two hours into the trip, the ship began to leak uncontrollably.—
Anders Hagstrom,
FOXNews.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Colloquial slang in reverence to the most maniacal competitors.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
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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
Adjective
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Setting aside the gawking nature of certain style choices (the warped, swiveling, 360-degree shots used when someone starts talking about particularly demented ideas are nauseating on multiple levels), the series too closely mirrors its subjects’ insularity.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
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There are bodily fluids, jeering crowds, and demonic Punch and Judy puppets applauding through the chaos, giving the scene the air of a demented fairy tale.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Amok.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amok. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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