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
The Seahawks stand out as the best-balanced team left and their defense has been insane.
—
Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2026
This moment marked the crux of a seemingly insane personal challenge that Liberato—an ultrarunner, coach, and yes, regular psychedelics user—took on in 2025.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 22 Jan. 2026
What's going on in Minneapolis is insane Come on.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Another insane fourth-down completion by Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams.
—Chris Bumbaca, USA Today, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insane
Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2026
This moment marked the crux of a seemingly insane personal challenge that Liberato—an ultrarunner, coach, and yes, regular psychedelics user—took on in 2025.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 22 Jan. 2026
What's going on in Minneapolis is insane Come on.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Another insane fourth-down completion by Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams.
—Chris Bumbaca, USA Today, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insane
Adjective
-
And everyone is mad at Andrew—though this one feels like a rumor and more reality.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
7 Jan. 2026
-
He’s been thrown straight into a mad month, in which Chelsea have Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Champions League fixtures.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Nowhere with the history or absurd beauty.—
Antonia Quirke,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
-
And there’s even more absurd add-ons that are completely ridiculous, that have absolutely no basis in fact.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
What happens, though, when those excesses transcend the merely stupid, the merely unjust, to become existential?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
People who approve of ICE’s actions aren’t necessarily stupid or evil.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Commissioners dismissed the allegations related to donor information but found that Ellis had accepted excessive contributions.—
Chaya Tong,
Austin American Statesman,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The restrictions, known as a consent decree, were a result of a 2017 lawsuit over excessive use of solitary confinement and pepper spray on inmates.—
Molly Beck,
jsonline.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
While these names are synonymous with game-time greatness, they’re also remembered for their near-maniacal approach to preparation.—
Shani Harmon,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The mastermind behind this virus of perfection is a maniacal Elon Musk-type figure who has dubbed himself The Corporation (Ashton Kutcher).—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
His work is marked by unusual, even bizarre, material choices that encrust spatial compositions reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright’s innovative open space plans.—
Edward Keegan,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Some unnamed Chicago bartender in the early 1880s had the improbable idea of taking a Whiskey Sour and adding a little red wine to the top, inventing in a bizarre flash of insightone of the great warm weather whiskey drinks of our time.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
What a crazy winter this had been.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Holding space for your interests, priorities and life circumstances is good offense, but a crazy job market also requires strong career defense, such as plugging up your financial foundation and skill gaps.—
Caroline Ceniza-Levine,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Engineers can test extreme scenarios without physical risk.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Research has shown that images of extreme violence can impact mental health, increasing symptoms of anxiety and depression.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Insane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insane. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
