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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
or amuck
as in berserk
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 amok
Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
What unfolds is not just a thriller about biotechnology run amok, but a cautionary tale about a culture where the line between health and the pursuit of a narrow beauty ideal is troublingly blurry.
—Virgie Tovar, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2021
See All Example Sentences for amok
Adverb
But the days of the conference running amok in collegiate football are ending.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
What unfolds is not just a thriller about biotechnology run amok, but a cautionary tale about a culture where the line between health and the pursuit of a narrow beauty ideal is troublingly blurry.
—Virgie Tovar, Forbes.com, 23 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
-
Instead, the Slovenian James Harden is showing the exact same limitations and attitudes that saw Dallas frantically dump him.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
27 Feb. 2026
-
People hurl wooden crates overboard, tumble off rafts, and frantically don life jackets—sometimes all at once.—
Kristen Geil,
Outside,
24 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
-
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
-
But the band’s sound is also a moving target; each album so far has been wildly different from the last.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Lauren was even outscored by her little sister Sienna, who Lauren wildly cheered while standing in front of the bench.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Each missile can carry multiple nuclear warheads using the Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRV) concept, enabling a single launch to strike several targets.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Mar. 2026
-
State media says the ship is designed to handle various weapons systems, including antiair and anti-naval weapons, as well as nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
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
-
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
-
Hydroplaning happens when a vehicle starts sliding uncontrollably on wet roads.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Hydroplaning is the term for when a vehicle begins sliding uncontrollably on wet roads.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Back then, in the musical adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis‘ best-seller — with music and lyrics by Duncan Sheik and a book by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa — Doctor Who star Matt Smith took on New York yuppie and increasingly maniacal investment banker Patrick Bateman.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Crosby expressed his excitement to now turn his maniacal football passion toward Baltimore, joining new head coach Jesse Minter in ushering in a new era after John Harbaugh’s 18-season tenure in charge.—
Devon Henderson,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Keem’s trademark yawp gave his early work a demented sense of propulsion.—
Dylan Green,
Pitchfork,
24 Feb. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Amok.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amok. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
