amok 1 of 2

adverb

variants or amuck
Definition of amoknext
as in frantically
in a confused and reckless manner returned to the classroom to find an escaped snake and her students running amok

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

amok

2 of 2

adjective

variants or amuck
as in berserk

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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 amok
Adverb
Also, po’ boys and gossip and volcanoes and, yes, a Frankenstein AI run amok. — Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2026 Some people ardently believe that AI and AI makers are being allowed to run amok. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 30 May 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
  1. frantically
  2. berserk
  3. wildly
  4. nuclear
  5. wild
  6. maniacal
  7. uncontrollably
  8. demented
Adverb
  • The roommate approached the Lyft car as the driver frantically tried to drive away, according to the lawsuit.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Upstairs in the club’s offices in Soho, central London, Palace’s hierarchy, recruitment team, secretaries and other staff worked frantically under pressure as the 11pm deadline ticked ever closer.
    — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of frantically
Adjective
  • The small pockets of Egyptian fans in the stadium went absolutely berserk, jumping and ripping off their shirts as their team went bonkers below them.
    — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
  • When the Spurs locked down Brunson, or tried, the ball went elsewhere, zinging around the court, from player to player, as if in a berserk video game.
    — David Remnick, New Yorker, 14 June 2026
Definition of berserk
Adverb
  • In 2024, a gunman jumped a barricade during the parade and wildly opened fire, wounding a 16-year-old gang rival and striking four others, killing a 25-year-old man.
    — John Annese, New York Daily News, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The Twilight alum went on to praise Hansen’s pivotal role on the wildly popular program, which exposed alleged pedophiles by using hidden cameras to capture adults trying to meet underage teens in online chat rooms.
    — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of wildly
Adjective
  • Western officials suspect that the traces could provide evidence that Iran had a secret nuclear weapons program until 2003.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Modern nuclear submarines can produce fresh water from seawater, using onboard distillation systems.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of nuclear
Adverb
  • Two more runs scored in the fourth inning when Ohtani, Pages and Freeman strung together three consecutive two-out singles and Keller wild-pitched a run home.
    — Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 12 June 2026
  • First, like cucumbers, squash is a wild-growing vegetable that competes for garden space, according to Dilmore.
    — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 9 June 2026
Definition of wild
Adjective
  • These machines—the maniacal Maverick R, with its praying mantis-like front suspension, and the hard-working Pioneer—have little else in common.
    — Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 2 Sep. 2026
  • His teammate Christian McCaffrey, who is also known for his maniacal training regimen, has been impressed with Kittle’s recovery.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of maniacal
Adverb
  • Alpha 1, who’s most strict about the disease’s suppression, lashes out uncontrollably.
    — Cortlyn Kelly, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Meanwhile, wildfires have been blazing uncontrollably, most notably this week in the New Forest in southern England.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of uncontrollably
Adjective
  • Brainy and inquisitive, she’s intrigued enough by his demented search to offer to help.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Sánchez’s entry features industrious zombies hot on the tails of some cyclists, while Evans’ installment (the best here) deals with a demented doomsday cult.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
Definition of demented

Phrases Containing amok

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Cite this Entry

“Amok.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amok. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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