1
as in mad
unable to think in a clear or sensible way
After learning of the robbery, they were insane with anger and foolishly searched the neighborhood looking for their belongings.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in absurd
conceived or made without regard for reason or reality
a completely insane plan to build an opera house in the middle of nowhere
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stupid
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment
an insane plan to blow all of their savings on lottery tickets
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in excessive
going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount
wanted an insane amount of money to paint our house
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 insane
This is beyond insane, and a sorry excuse for the state of the Supreme Court.
—
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 2 May 2026
Greenwich Village alone is responsible for Carbone, Bar Pitti and Via Carota, which is genuinely insane density for a few blocks of real estate.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026
Bringing his bag of insane tricks and witty banter to the Wilshire Ebell Theatre for two nights on May 8 and 9, Willman’s crowd work, storytelling and intricate tricks are inspired by everyday life.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Just this insane profanity-laden tirade that went on and on and on.
—Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insane
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 2 May 2026
Greenwich Village alone is responsible for Carbone, Bar Pitti and Via Carota, which is genuinely insane density for a few blocks of real estate.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026
Bringing his bag of insane tricks and witty banter to the Wilshire Ebell Theatre for two nights on May 8 and 9, Willman’s crowd work, storytelling and intricate tricks are inspired by everyday life.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Just this insane profanity-laden tirade that went on and on and on.
—Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insane
Adjective
-
Fray was also mad at himself for cramping, which forced him to be substituted out of Saturday’s loss in the 66th minute.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
3 May 2026
-
Their ferocious poetry resurrects them, inviting other mad seekers to take up their story.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Still absurd to the average person, but a far cry from what Biles paid.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
-
As paranoia festers and absurd regulations tighten their grip, suspicion replaces love, and truth itself begins to warp.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran — theyr’e not stupid.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
3 May 2026
-
That was celebrated by the lefties as liberation, or something stupid like that.—
Joe Kinsey OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
California does a good job verifying its voter rolls, but there’s no harm in requiring an ID provided the requirements don’t create excessive hurdles for those who may not have a driver’s license.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
-
One of the most common — excessive hair growth, known medically as hirsutism — can have a profound impact on confidence and emotional well-being.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
An encounter with Ivy leads to Ollie touching a glowing pod — a remnant of majestic creatures that look like a cross between a tree and an elephant who are said to have been banished from The Valley by a maniacal Fire Wolf.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
4 May 2026
-
There’s one sound on earth that will never get old, and that’s Johnny Knoxville’s maniacal cackle when someone has been injured.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
La beauté bizarre of the Lobster Boy is decadent.—
Olivia Kan-Sperling,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
-
Fabianne Therese plays a young woman on a hike in the woods with her boyfriend (Seann William Scott) who runs afoul of a bizarre, imposing figure (pro wrestler Max the Impaler) with a porcelain doll mask intent on raising her as a child.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
The last few weeks of March were crazy, a flurry of behind-the-scenes discussions with current players and representatives of future ones.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 May 2026
-
Of course the bidding went crazy.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Typical pulsating aurora displays last 10 to 20 minutes, but Kerss had captured almost three hours of extreme pulsating auroras — an unusually powerful display and one of the longest on record, according to the statement.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Threats are growing from more extreme weather.—
Michael Copley,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Insane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insane. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
