MANIAC Synonyms: 144 Similar and Opposite Words

maniac

noun

ˈmā-nē-ˌak

Definition of maniac

informal

as in lunatic

a person who lacks good sense or judgment It was some surprise to see such chill person become a complete maniac when he got behind the wheel.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in lover

a person with a strong and habitual liking for something I'm a maniac for anything flavored with peppermint

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 maniac Mantzoukas was willing to look like a maniac and a moron in equal measure. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 June 2026 The Martin Lawrence vehicle Martin, which ran for five glorious seasons, offered a terrific platform for Lawrence to run around like a maniac as an energetic radio DJ. — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 June 2026 Plus, people drove like maniacs in the parking lot, especially on weekends and around holidays. — Literary Hub, 5 June 2026 Donald also had a reputation for being a maniac about taking care of his body and staying in shape. — Armando Salguero, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for maniac

Recent Examples of Synonyms for maniac

Noun

Rabin was killed [in 1995], that was a last straw —seeing an extremist right-wing lunatic in Israel kill Rabin and kill the dreams of peace.

— Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2026
In fact, a lunatic in Houston couldn't wait more than one game before sprinting onto the field.

— Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of lunatic

Noun

The photographic record shows Wong arm-in-arm with numerous admirers, many of whom were her lovers.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
Llínas mugs the camera for laugh lines in the narration, rattles off a comically long list of Borges’ lovers, reveals halfway through that the score has been played, in part, off a toy xylophone.

— Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of lover

Noun

Set the scene Upon entering, don't let the grandiose, atrium-esque, white-marbled lobby fool you into thinking there's an ounce of formality or stuffiness here.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Sep. 2026
Anhor The Great had so many pass breakups that counting would’ve been a fool’s errand.

— Caleb Otte, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of fool

Noun

These sucker shoots can quickly form a thicket of stems that are unsightly, inherently weak, and prone to storm damage if allowed to mature.

— Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 2026
One was a regional distributor of garbage trucks, street sweepers, and sewer suckers for municipalities.

— Eric Zwick, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of sucker

Noun

For example, if your home favors farmhouse design, fill the sections with antique thimbles, spools, or clothespins, small farm animal figurines (like a goose, rooster, or cow), or a collection of vintage salt and pepper shakers.

— Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Sep. 2026
Karyann Parkinson's son, Samuel, likes to collect goose feathers.

— Mark Strassmann, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of goose

Noun

Jennifer Aniston is a fan of these classic sneakers, and so is our editor Ali Faccenda.

— Shea Simmons, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026
Just days after multiple outlets reported that Lady Gaga and her fiancé, Michael Polansky, welcomed their first child together, fans now know the baby’s name.

— Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of fan

Noun

Slow Horses fanatics will recognize her as one of the veteran MI5 operatives stuck in the agency’s version of purgatory, known as Slough House.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2026
Nineteen fanatics, acting in the name of Islam, killed 2,997 innocent men, women and children in New York City, in Washington, and on airplanes turned into weapons of mass murder.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of fanatic

Browse Nearby Words

mania

maniac

maniacal

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Style

“Maniac.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maniac. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of maniac

noun

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