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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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
Because Sidney Prescott, now Evans, exists only in relationship to Ghostface, the costume worn by many different knife-wielding maniacs over the years, starting with her high school boyfriend.
—
Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 3 Mar. 2026
Because Sidney Prescott, now Evans, exists only in relationship to Ghostface, the costume worn by many different knife-wielding maniacs over the years, starting with her high school boyfriend.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for maniac
Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 3 Mar. 2026
Because Sidney Prescott, now Evans, exists only in relationship to Ghostface, the costume worn by many different knife-wielding maniacs over the years, starting with her high school boyfriend.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for maniac
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maniac
Noun
-
Mark Hamill has been a lunatic for years now.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
-
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
-
The apartment has original hardwood floors, which set the stage for thoughtful modern and vintage furniture; a fiddle leaf fig tree as well as other touches of real plant life on the interior and exterior add to the garden district location to make this stay a plant lover’s haven.—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
30 May 2026
-
Outdoor exercise lovers will want to snap up this $14 skort to stay cool while playing pickleball or going for a walk.—
Madeline Merinuk,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
Predicting the future is a fool’s game.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
-
But don't let his calm demeanor fool you.—
Joelle Goldstein,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Details such as the relatively few suckers on its arms, its smooth skin, beak features and the coloring around its organs and parts of the mantle indicated a new species, now called Microeledone galapagensis.—
Jeanna Bryner,
Scientific American,
24 May 2026
-
Trimming the suckers, from the first 2 feet above the ground, ensures the plant's energy is focused on the main vines and cucumbers, says Scott.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
This typically gets worse over time and is often accompanied by a harsh goose-honking cough triggered by excitement or exercise.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2026
-
Each spring since then, the National Park Service scrubs out a year’s worth of goose poop and other debris to keep the pool clean and the algae away.—
Joseph Konig,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Large crowds gathered near the Arc de Triomphe after the match, with some fans setting off flares and blaring car horns, according to reports from The Associated Press.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
-
For years, Broncos fans have argued across social-media keyboards that the middle of coordinator Vance Joseph’s defense is, in fact, broken.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Nature enthusiasts have long sought out the 198 acres of parkland area for its hiking and equestrian trails, seasonal streams, native plants, and wildlife.—
Joy Benedict,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
-
But soccer enthusiast Rafael Gomes says that the reality of life in the favela has sometimes caught up with them.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Plane Spotting From Airport Hotels Special aviation packages are not the only way for plane fanatics to get up close and personal with their passion.—
Ramsey Qubein,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
With the possible exception of the bike-lane debacle in Chicago, dominated by zero-sum fanatics, few debates have been as nasty as the one involving Chicagoland’s new football stadium.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Maniac.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maniac. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
