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

The show will serve as a platform for countless lunatics within the InfoWars universe and a platform for larger announcements about the company’s fictional exploits.

— Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of lunatic

Noun

Art lovers should aim to be there in April when Joali hosts its annual Imagi-Nature Art Festival.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
The undead hero initially turns agains the X-Men and serves Apocalypse, but Gambit’s lover Rogue is able to save him by harnessing the enormous power of a Celestial and offering to sacrifice herself.

— Jordan Moreau, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of lover

Noun

The Trasks encounter a wide swath of citizens, haggling with sneaky cheats, exploiting innocent fools, and befriending big-hearted neighbors.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2026
To protest in the street, to be arrested for attacking a police officer or vandalizing private property, or making a fool of yourself in any of a hundred different ways is valuable currency to anyone seeking status within an activist organization.

— Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of fool

Noun

The theory seems to be that there will always be another crop of suckers willing to pump money into the ecosystem, so the market will provide.

— Joseph Kahn, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of sucker

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

Noun

Self also spoke to the fans and answered a few questions after practice.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026
After most of the sellout crowd filed out Wednesday, one solitary Sox fan stood at his seat under the press box, shouting obscenities about the Guardians and the city of Cleveland.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of fan

Noun

Dennis and Rosa encounter all sorts of people, from feuding Take That tribute bands to Irish bachelorettes, comedians and bingo enthusiasts.

— Marta Balaga, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Tactics such as ragebait have only added to the fatigue, irritating enthusiasts already frustrated by the relentless churn of slop.

— Amy Francombe, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of enthusiast

Noun

That’s why some users, who have never been Creed fanatics, are so confounded they are getting recommended to use the song.

— Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2026
If the two fandoms—Harry’s disco divas and the Knicks’ fanatics—could hardly seem more different, think again.

— Christian Allaire, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of fanatic

Browse Nearby Words

mania

maniac

maniacal

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Maniac.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maniac. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of maniac

noun

Example Sentences

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