1
as in malfunctioning
not being in working order
The website went haywire when it was overloaded with visitors seeking tickets.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mad
unable to think in a clear or sensible way
She gradually went haywire with grief after the tragic death of her husband.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in amuck
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for haywire
Adjective
-
Though it's deemed an accident in the play by Queen Gertrude, Ophelia was considered mad and the possibility of suicide was not ruled out.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
14 Aug. 2025 -
When Fishbein visited the property on a recent afternoon, a mad nest of rebar and brick rose over the horizon of a chain-link fence on 23rd Street.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The Panthers had Graham Gano, one the mightiest kickers in the league but who was recovering from an injury and trying to recoup from a statistical down year.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Read more: Bears, Vikings Linked as Possible Trade Partners in Suggested QB Trade Last season with the Dolphins, Hill had a down year.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The counselor also told police Trotman had had a previous psychotic break in which he was found wandering the woods.—
Peter Hermann,
Washington Post,
7 Feb. 2023
-
Lewis prescribed Price anti-psychotic medication after a mental health referral Sept. 1.—
Thomas Saccente,
Arkansas Online,
17 Jan. 2023
Adjective
-
There is a broken down vehicle on I-35 between 119th Street/Exit 220 and I-435/Exit 222.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Over the years, Fox has sustained multiple broken bones, including both arms, his shoulder, his orbital bone and cheek and his hand, which resulted in a serious infection.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Amanda learned in like 10 seconds, which is insane.—
Scott Roxborough,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Mar. 2025
-
If 51% of the population is being so underserved, the ratio to opportunity is insane.—
Gemma Allen,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Infrastructure is useless without operators who can manage it.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
-
The deals typically provide revenue for the host community while enabling the solar industry to cover essentially useless land with solar panels rather than taking out-of-service farmland, open fields or similar space.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Yet what starts as sensible due diligence becomes maniacal overpreparation.—
Melissa Sierra,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
-
The Redeem Team’s most entertaining stories revolve around Bryant’s maniacal work ethic.—
Skyler Trepel Published,
EW.com,
10 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
While others were desperately fleeing Afghanistan, Seierstad traveled there alone to see the impact of the Taliban victory.—
Gabrielle Bellot,
Literary Hub,
5 Aug. 2025
-
As blood gushed from a gaping gash on his leg, a fitness trainer and social media influencer found dead in his Harlem apartment was desperately calling his father to relay what was happening — even texting him a picture of what was likely the fatal knife wound.—
Rebecca White,
New York Daily News,
4 Aug. 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Haywire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/haywire. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share