BONKERS Synonyms: 179 Similar and Opposite Words

bonkers

adjective

ˈbäŋ-kərz

Definition of bonkers

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

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

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 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 See All Example Sentences for bonkers

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bonkers

Adjective

More than 80% of Chinese felt excited about AI applications, KPMG reported last year; only half that percentage of Americans felt the same.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
Many studies have found that children get excited about getting their own books in the mail, addressed to them personally.

— Alex H. Poole, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of excited

Adjective

In particular, users are gravitating towards — and posting their own covers of — the bridge, which finds Williams belting insane high notes.

— Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026
Evidently, the Manhunter released gas that drove Antaan’s people insane, forcing many of them to jump to their deaths.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of insane

Adjective

Another enthusiastic response at the summit came from Vermont, formerly home to the 650 MW Vermont-Yankee Nuclear Power Plant, which closed in 2014.

— John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026
But while an enthusiastic and wider-than-ever audience may be listening now, the Grammys have long appeared inured to such outside influence.

— Leila Cobo, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of enthusiastic

Adjective

When Blue Cross Blue Shield recently published research suggesting that hospitals use artificial intelligence tools to extract more money from insurers without providing additional care, people were mad.

— Leah Pierson, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026
Carmella is also still mad at Vicki for saying that Danny is raising her kids, and Heather is angry after learning that Vicki called her fake in Palm Springs.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of mad

Adjective

Richard Manoogian, a Detroit industrialist and avid art collector, died at 90 on Friday.

— Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 28 Sep. 2026
Sosnick, an avid bicyclist, put an additional $1 million into a pro-Raman committee sponsored by Streets for All, a group that advocates for bike lanes, bus lanes and other street redesigns.

— David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of avid

Adjective

At trial, a neurological expert testified that Linton had a seizure in the lead up to the collision, and a psychiatrist said Linton displayed psychotic symptoms weeks after the crash that were consistent with the aftermath of a seizure.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Kratom can produce either stimulating or sedating effects, depending on the dosage taken, and can produce psychotic symptoms, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

— Phil Helsel, NBC news, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of psychotic

Adjective

Ambitious mukbang-ers eager to prove their gastronomic stamina descended on Red Lobster locations across the country to consume absurd quantities of shrimp.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
The two southern battlegrounds were initially top targets of both political parties, but now appear to be slipping away from Republicans as Democrats grow eager about their chances.

— Halle Troadec, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of eager

Adjective

Rihanna’s here, maniacal crowds are lining up outside shows to screech and wave at their favorite stars and days of runway events big and small lie ahead.

— Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of maniacal

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“Bonkers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bonkers. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of bonkers

adjective

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