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
Defense lawyers had argued during the trial that Taylor was legally insane at the time of the offense.
—
Claire Osborn, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026
Well, first of all, Mike White is here, which is insane.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Feb. 2026
What does sound logical to me, amid an otherwise insane plan, is the elimination of the conference championship games.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
Is this a low-key insane plot development?
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insane
Claire Osborn, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026
Well, first of all, Mike White is here, which is insane.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Feb. 2026
What does sound logical to me, amid an otherwise insane plan, is the elimination of the conference championship games.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
Is this a low-key insane plot development?
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insane
Adjective
-
In the 18th century, natural red fabric dyes made from Indian madder root and South American brazilwood were key to producing the pink fabrics that both men and women wore during the reign of King Louis XV.—
Adam Mansuroglu,
Robb Report,
28 Feb. 2026
-
There was a mad scramble—people running in every direction, some tumbling over others.—
Anand Gopal,
New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
As a result, the price of gold is now approaching $5,300 an ounce, a level that would have seemed absurd even to seasoned commodities traders just a few years ago.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Luke and Mike Bell, the father-and-son team from South Africa already famous for pushing electric quadcopters to velocities that seemed positively absurd, appear to be building for both.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
And to be perfectly fair, nervous gratuitous laughter at stupid jokes is not unknown among anyone, including the press corps.—
John Shipley,
Twin Cities,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Above all else, avoid the stupid mistakes that lead to injury, illness, and evacuation from the game.—
Kristen Geil,
Outside,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The city is already in trouble because of excessive debt.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Austin police officers will soon be able to fine motorists up to $500 for excessive engine noise following a unanimous Austin City Council vote Thursday.—
Austin Sanders,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Colloquial slang in reverence to the most maniacal competitors.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Clearly, a straight line can be drawn from Lola to Moira Rose, the maniacal former soap-opera star, wig enthusiast, and erratic wife/mom on Schitt’s Creek (for which Catherine won an Emmy and a Golden Globe).—
Merrill Markoe,
Rolling Stone,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The actor compares the image of a man blocking a tank, an impulsive move of resistance by one person, to how Berenger has to maneuver, then openly question, the increasing aggressive and bizarre actions of his fellow townsfolk.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
1 Mar. 2026
-
But Saturday’s most bizarre finish unfolded at Winter Park High School, where fans of both the Wildcats and Lake Mary ran onto the court to celebrate victory after the horn sounded, ending a low-scoring game that had fans on the edge of their seats all night.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
There’s a crazy, almost anarchic narrative logic that keeps it zigging and zagging unpredictably from the high-speed chase around precarious mountain roads to the suspenseful near disaster of the climax, in which nature gets angry, and the triumphant eco solution that saves the day.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Importantly, the movie’s sense of humor is always grounded in the situation happening and the distinct crazy personalities surrounding Mabel’s stubborn straight woman.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Because the engine can be controlled during flight, the system does not require the expensive thermal protection systems typically associated with extreme heat loads at hypersonic speeds.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The Northeast is reeling from extreme snowfall and powerful winds that slammed the region overnight Sunday and throughout the day Monday, prompting blizzard conditions as more than two feet of snow blanketed several states.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Insane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insane. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
