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
Moreover, with your celestial ruler, Uranus, also retrograde in your fifth house of love, spontaneity and unpredictability reign — this could manifest in a sudden crush, a flirtatious encounter or insane sparks with someone who is the complete opposite of your type.
—
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Stines’ defense attorneys, Jeremy and Kerri Bartley, say the sheriff was insane at the time of the killing and want his full mental health report – which is currently sealed – released to the public.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
Making straight men insane comes with the territory on one of TV’s most-talked about shows of the last five years (House of the Dragon continues to rack up toward 10 million viewers per ep).
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
But what’s so insane about this story is that there are so many contrasting elements.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insane
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Stines’ defense attorneys, Jeremy and Kerri Bartley, say the sheriff was insane at the time of the killing and want his full mental health report – which is currently sealed – released to the public.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
Making straight men insane comes with the territory on one of TV’s most-talked about shows of the last five years (House of the Dragon continues to rack up toward 10 million viewers per ep).
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
But what’s so insane about this story is that there are so many contrasting elements.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insane
Adjective
-
Awards are both mad and lovely.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
16 Sep. 2025
-
And of course, mad love and respect to Adam Yauch, Oscilloscope’s co-founder, filmmaker and Beastie Boy forever.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
There’s no denying that catfish noodling is an absurd sport.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Barely any other media in recent times has given me an instant shock of glee or revulsion like this absurd anarcho-cartoon being stretched and squeezed to its most grotesque and wholesome clickbait limits.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
And when Sam cooks up a truly stupid scheme to make some quick cash, there’s little doubt a heavy like Mickey isn’t going to like it.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
12 Sep. 2025
-
There's a fine line between stupid and clever, indeed.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
A level 2 of 4 threat for excessive rainfall is in place for parts of eastern New Mexico and western Texas due to rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour possible in the heaviest storms.—
Kyle Reiman,
ABC News,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The government's initial response, which blamed opposition factions rather than acknowledging excessive force, further inflamed tensions.—
Sonal Nain,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The highlight of the maze was the children’s bedroom scene with moving furniture and a maniacal clown sliding out from underneath the bed.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Wisecracking, cackling mini-maniac Teddy was the daredevil of the group.—
Sezin Devi Koehler September 1,
EW.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
But everything changes when a string of gruesome killings—which grow increasingly bizarre, with victims covered in rashes and found in deranged, violent states—involves his young daughter Hyo-jin (Kim Hwan-hee).—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Paxton’s interest in Paul’s plight was bizarre, obsessive and so far beyond normal operations at the attorney general’s office that the agency’s top officials struggled to convey their concerns during the hourslong meeting with two FBI agents.—
Kimberly Ross,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Years later narratives about colonization or slavery or the crazy suffragettes always centre on the light and the justice these people fought for.—
Sara Stridsberg
September 15,
Literary Hub,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Oh, and that rookie receiver with the two crazy catches?—
Christian Romo,
Freep.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Ketamine therapy’s most common short-term side effects are dizziness and nausea, but in extreme cases, long-term, heavy use of ketamine is associated with memory problems, gastrointestinal issues, and urinary tract infections, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Tootles’ death disproves this, showing that a hybrid being can die under extreme circumstances.—
Leia Mendoza,
Variety,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Insane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insane. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share