1
as in excited
informal
showing urgent desire or interest
The friends are bonkers about the new video game, and play together for hours at a time.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in insane
informal + sometimes offensive
unable to think in a clear or sensible way
She spent her last years as a totally bonkers recluse in a decaying mansion.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bonkers
There were indelible clutch moments and absolutely bonkers endings.
—
Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Tanyard Hill, located next to Coy Hill, is home to four warehouses built in the early ’60s that also apparently yield barrels with truly bonkers levels of alcohol.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 9 Nov. 2025
Graffiti historian Roger Gastman—who helped orchestrate MOCA’s record-setting Art in the Streets show in 2011—takes over a 40,000-square-foot warehouse on the edge of Chinatown for a totally bonkers street art experience.
—Marielle Wakim, Los Angeles Magazine, 21 June 2018
Hulu’s new show from the creator of Luther is a totally bonkers melange of sci-fi scenarios, global doom, and stabbiness.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2018
Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Tanyard Hill, located next to Coy Hill, is home to four warehouses built in the early ’60s that also apparently yield barrels with truly bonkers levels of alcohol.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 9 Nov. 2025
Graffiti historian Roger Gastman—who helped orchestrate MOCA’s record-setting Art in the Streets show in 2011—takes over a 40,000-square-foot warehouse on the edge of Chinatown for a totally bonkers street art experience.
—Marielle Wakim, Los Angeles Magazine, 21 June 2018
Hulu’s new show from the creator of Luther is a totally bonkers melange of sci-fi scenarios, global doom, and stabbiness.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bonkers
Adjective
-
Scherzinger glowed with an excited expression, her arms raised again in the air.—
Danielle Minnetian,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
A lot of us are excited to refresh our spaces in the new year.—
Shagun Khare,
The Spruce,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Code Pink is a bunch of insane radicals and someone could have gotten hurt.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Jan. 2026
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At 5-foot-8 and 140 pounds, Keira is the first to admit she’s not blessed with insane athletic ability.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
View gallery - 9 images Designed as a permanent home for a couple of enthusiastic travelers, the Bespoke Base doesn't compromise on comfort.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
9 Jan. 2026
-
McNally’s enthusiastic endorsement of Altadena and its agrarian and esthetic charms led wealthy families from the Midwest and East to [build] their winter homes in Altadena.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
And everyone is mad at Andrew—though this one feels like a rumor and more reality.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
7 Jan. 2026
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He’s been thrown straight into a mad month, in which Chelsea have Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Champions League fixtures.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But beyond the timeless hits, the strong-willed and self-confident Arcángel has become an avid supporter of next-gen stars including Bad Bunny, Young Miko, Feid, Grupo Frontera, Maria Becerra and Carrión.—
Jessica Roiz,
Billboard,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The couple, both avid backpackers and hikers, trained for nine months in Sacramento, California, for the chilly climb.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
That character is having a kind of psychotic break, really.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
13 Jan. 2026
-
However, mental health experts now warn that for a small group of vulnerable people, long and emotionally charged conversations with AI may worsen delusions or psychotic symptoms.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The 23-year-old Shou, a lifelong Fremont resident, won out over hundreds of others eager to play 17-year-old Joe, a troubled San Gabriel Valley area high school student with schizophrenia whose distraught mom Irene (Liu, in a transformative performance) is dying of cancer.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
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Hosted by Variety’s Angelique Jackson and Marc Malkin, the pre-show will deliver exclusive access, must-see interviews and real-time coverage from the first spot on the carpet, serving as the ultimate destination for fans eager to experience the night unfold.—
William Earl,
Variety,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Also in the mix were Dogbert, a maniacal schemer, and Catbert, the ruthless head of HR.—
Chris Koseluk,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Jan. 2026
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O’Connell goes all in on maniacal Sir Jimmy while Fiennes eats up needle drops like a demon.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bonkers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bonkers. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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