LUNATIC Synonyms: 218 Similar and Opposite Words

lunatic 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of lunatic

informal

as in foolish

showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment such lunatic clowning during a solemn ceremony is completely inappropriate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lunatic

2 of 2

noun

informal

as in fool

a person who lacks good sense or judgment No, you can't ski off the roof, you lunatic!

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 lunatic

Adjective

Police found Mazariegos, who fit the description of the lunatic hiding in the bushes, nearby, according to the probable cause affidavit. — Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026 Richard Attenborough once mischievously locked his brother inside a padded cell in a building on campus that was once a Victorian lunatic asylum, according to the university. — Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 8 May 2026

Noun

As a Spurs fan, I was particularly invested in Campbell in an England shirt and recall charging around the living room like a lunatic before the reality that it had been chalked off hit home. — The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 18 June 2026 The lunatics are running the asylum. — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for lunatic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lunatic

Adjective

First and foremost, as a homeowner myself the property taxes are insane and continue to go up.

— Stephen Korka, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026
That may be the name of her next album, but Venus’ insane popularity also speaks to the way Metropia is moving forward, constantly looking for the next shiny thing.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of insane

Noun

Don’t let the building’s modern facade fool you, the rooms are minimalist yet warm with wood flooring, floral wallpaper, and hand-knotted rugs.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
In these labors, Carson is akin to two other recent laureates, Jon Fosse and László Krasznahorkai, our foremost writers of holy fools.

— Merve Emre, New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of fool

Noun

David extended a hand toward me (imaginary attacks by slow, handshake-wielding maniacs are a martial arts class staple).

— Johanna Stein, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Unbeknownst to the visitors, there’s an unhappy fifth party already in the house… and more than one homicidal maniac even within that small populace.

— Dennis Harvey, Variety, 28 July 2026

Definition of maniac

Adjective

Soaking the suburbs over parking is reminiscent of other foolish, revenue-grabbing ideas, such as a congestion tax aimed at outsiders as a way to gin up money to cover Chicago’s ever-present budget black hole.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026
With Oracle having lost more than $20 billion in stock-market value today, this appears to be penny-wise and pound foolish.

— Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of foolish

Noun

Its winding path — and its goose motif — serve as the inspiration for Fortunae, Ginori 1735’s latest collection of collectible porcelain and home decor.

— Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
In terms of the fake-out, yeah, just a tiny little goose for the last moment.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of goose

Adjective

The ball popped out of his glove and fell in front of him, creating a bit of a mad scramble for Ramírez.

— Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
Some reports have suggested that Harry knew the contents of the memoir before it was published, which reportedly adds to William’s reasons to be mad at his brother.

— StyleCaster Editors, StyleCaster, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of mad

Browse Nearby Words

lunacy

lunatic

lunatics

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Lunatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lunatic. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of lunatic

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

zenith

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 16

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes