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
-
Another set piece involving a malfunctioning chair lift is excruciatingly tense.—
Emily Palmer Heller,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
My real friends know what happened, but Kurt’s fans, Courtney’s fans, and some of my own fans were mad at me.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Maybe, probably, the States were also mad at her.—
Catherine Lacey,
New Yorker,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Becky Cameron 7-Piece Bedding Bundle This bedding bundle is great for people with allergies, thanks to its down-alternative fill that provides warmth without irritation.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
-
The Red Sox have the benefit of playing in a down era of American League talent where the path to the World Series seemed wide open for the third consecutive year.—
Tim Crowley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Austin Butler’s character, the psychotic conspiracy theorist, was hysterical.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
9 Oct. 2025
-
This might sound ridiculous to anyone outside the hive, but Swift actively encourages this kind of analysis and listicle-bait with borderline psychotic schemes.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
8 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle begins to slide uncontrollably on wet roads.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Hydroplaning happens when a vehicle starts sliding uncontrollably on wet roads.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Rinsing rice also helps remove any grit or tiny broken pieces that might have made their way into the package.—
Emily Johnson,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
9 Oct. 2025
-
The Comfort Cubs are created with love to heal a broken heart.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Despite being found guilty, Gein was also declared insane and unable to stand trial.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
-
The Sony Bravia 8 II 65-inch Smart TV is a living room flex with its insane color, crisp contrast, and movie-theater-like sound.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
9 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Granted, by the time the Jet Skis are swinging crazily in the air, Nathan has only been onboard for a few hours.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
7 Oct. 2025
-
That seems like a crazily low number of songs.—
Carson Blackwelder,
People.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Cite this Entry
“Haywire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/haywire. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
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