1
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.
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lover
a person with a strong and habitual liking for something
I'm a maniac for anything flavored with peppermint
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Recent Examples of maniac
There’s also some pro forma mother-daughter conflict, the possibility of the return of a maniac of yore and a modern twist in the gag.
—
Michael Ordoña, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Feb. 2026
Many Americans believe White House deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland-security adviser Stephen Miller is a cruel, ruthless maniac intent on turning the country into an authoritarian ethno-state.
—John Ficarra, Air Mail, 14 Feb. 2026
However, unexpected and decidedly unwelcome guests keep turning up, including Beau’s brother, and a man who might be a homicidal maniac.
—Matthew J. Palm, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2026
Maybe civil war could’ve been avoided this time around, too, had Xander not been such an anti-ghoul maniac.
—Jack King, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maniac
Michael Ordoña, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Feb. 2026
Many Americans believe White House deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland-security adviser Stephen Miller is a cruel, ruthless maniac intent on turning the country into an authoritarian ethno-state.
—John Ficarra, Air Mail, 14 Feb. 2026
However, unexpected and decidedly unwelcome guests keep turning up, including Beau’s brother, and a man who might be a homicidal maniac.
—Matthew J. Palm, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2026
Maybe civil war could’ve been avoided this time around, too, had Xander not been such an anti-ghoul maniac.
—Jack King, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maniac
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maniac
Noun
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Mark Hamill has been a lunatic for years now.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
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To get a sentence like that in a communist, radically left-wing city of liberal lunatics is truly amazing.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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This smokey, briney, california botanical martini is the dream cocktail for any olive lover.—
Aly Walansky,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
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From limited-time giveaways to national brand collaborations, pickle lovers are getting plenty to celebrate this year.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
Noun
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Here are three fool-proof tips to stay ahead of the curve during the volatility to come.—
Solo Ceesay,
Rolling Stone,
7 May 2026
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The Quince Revive Nylon Crescent Shoulder Bag is just $32, but don’t let its affordable price fool you.—
Destinee Scott,
Travel + Leisure,
7 May 2026
Noun
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Democratic states have typically done this, but now that’s a sucker’s game.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
15 May 2026
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That makes students who play by the rules feel like suckers.—
Rose Horowitch,
The Atlantic,
12 May 2026
Noun
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Atvara, who spent years working in teaching, journalism, and marketing before returning to her first love, puts her classical training to good use, particularly during a goose-bump-inducing climax in which her voice swoops and soars like a haunted songbird.—
Jon O'Brien,
Vulture,
11 May 2026
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Their first album in four years, Dancing on the Wall, reflects a group that's been famous long enough to know what a golden goose’s underbelly looks like.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
8 May 2026
Noun
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The Grammy winner is known to be a fan of Dôen, having previously worn the brand's Benoit Dress in Noir Wild Rose for dinner with Dakota Johnson at Via Carota in New York City in May 2025.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
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When the lights came up, fans stood and cheered for the cast.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
17 May 2026
Noun
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About fifteen years ago, a couple of truck-enthusiast friends of mine took it upon themselves to drive the length of it, some sixty miles.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
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In a trailer for a new documentary about the his years in Rome, Leone a Roma, eagle-eyed sneaker enthusiasts were able to spot the pope's unconventional footwear choice.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
Noun
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The differences have been between the more and the less patient, the cruder and the subtler, the slightly more compromising and the hard-core fanatics.—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
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Rebellion was also apparent in the hairstyles exhibited, most notably by singer Miley Cyrus, a fashion fanatic, whose short, spiked look paired perfectly with her risque fishnet Marc Jacobs gown.—
Luis Giraldo,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Maniac.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maniac. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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