as in frantically
in a confused and reckless manner
the familiar scene in horror movies where everyone runs berserk as the monster destroys everything in sight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in ballistic
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
variants
or berserker
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 berserk
Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2025
Which, of course, drove the audience completely berserk.
—Chris Richards, Washington Post, 19 Nov. 2023
Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2025
Welcome to the new American berserk, to borrow Philip Roth’s memorable phrase.
—Jonathan Zimmerman, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for berserk
Adjective
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
Which, of course, drove the audience completely berserk.
—Chris Richards, Washington Post, 19 Nov. 2023
Noun
There's one moment in the trailer that shows Wolverine slashing an enemy with multiple cuts before shoving his claws straight through his skull, confirming this game is going to embrace the violence and berserker rage of this character.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2025
Welcome to the new American berserk, to borrow Philip Roth’s memorable phrase.
—Jonathan Zimmerman, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for berserk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for berserk
Adverb
-
For the sequence when Carol frantically drives away from the hospital, Adams designed a new system with an LED screen that went on front of the truck with a cap on top, so all the light when Carol is driving comes exclusively from the LED screen.—
Matt Minton,
Variety,
4 June 2026
-
As avid basketball fans frantically search for highly coveted tickets to the post-season matchup, prices have skyrocketed to attend in person, ranging from courtside at over $42,000 to the cheapest nosebleeds at just under $1,000.—
Kelly McCarthy,
ABC News,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
The $90 million is for new and amended grants to 56 county and city police departments for radios, body cameras, riot gear, ballistic helmets, X-ray machines, inmate restraint chairs and other items.—
CBS Miami Team,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
-
State media said the ships are designed to carry a range of weapons systems, including anti-aircraft and anti-ship weapons as well as nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles, though some experts have questioned their effectiveness in active duty.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 June 2026
Noun
-
This has resulted in these two states also having the most Black cowboys, LeBlanc says—like legendary Oklahoma cowboy Bass Reeves, who served as deputy marshal in Oklahoma Territory during the late 19th century, said to have inspired The Lone Ranger.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
Think shows that include Argentine cowboys known as gauchos, Brazilian samba dancers, West African (Moko Jumbie) stilt walkers.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2026
Adverb
-
Barely 24 hours later, with Tech down 1-0 in the series but clinging to a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth, shortstop Hailey Toney fielded a sharp grounder to her right, pivoted to make the easy throw to third base to get out of the inning — and missed wildly.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
-
Just 20 miles north of Sioux Falls, a quick detour off I-90 leads to a landscape that feels wildly out of place—in the best way.—
Taryn Shorr-Mckee,
Midwest Living,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
The Iranian official added that current US-Iran talks are focused on ending the war, and nuclear issues are not currently being discussed.—
Alayna Treene,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also said the deal would require Iran to disavow the continuation of its domestic nuclear program — a diplomatic feat never before achieved throughout a quarter-century of international negotiations over Iran’s nuclear work.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
When Sarah’s eyes moved from the map to the paper piling up in my writing nook marked with the chicken scratchings of a madman, her eyebrows arched to the highest point eyebrows can arch.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman are mismatched detectives on the hunt for a madman enacting crimes in the style of the seven deadly sins.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 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
Adjective
-
There’s something extremely psychotic about him.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
1 June 2026
-
Mary, our thirtysomething narrator, has recently boomeranged back to her hometown (York) after experiencing a break with reality that may or may not be psychotic.—
Emily Temple,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Berserk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/berserk. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
