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 supporting cast is well stocked with character actors who bring humor and pathos to this gaggle of spouses, friends, lovers and bootleggers.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 1 Oct. 2026
Orr’s trail repairs come at a time when outdoors lovers are feeling particularly protective of public lands.

— Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 1 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

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

On a vaporetto in Venice’s Grand Canal in late May, I was forced to admit that my quest to uncover the mysteries of Northern Italy’s famed chicories bore the hallmarks of a goose chase.

— Tamar Adler, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026
Don’t throttle the goose who lays the golden eggs, don’t blast from the skies the albatross who guarantees fair winds.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of goose

Noun

As the camera focused on a star player making a touchdown or a slam dunk, the faces of the fans behind them would coalesce into a colorful, murky abstraction.

— Ryan Sullivan, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Hathaway, a New York City native and lifelong Knicks fan, was jokingly credited for their change in fortune by yours truly and a host of others.

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of fan

Noun

In the ‘90s, Golod worked with Pet Television Network as co-chairman and co-owner of a cable and satellite service aimed toward animal enthusiasts.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026
Snowboarders and skiing enthusiasts from around the world travel there for the pillowy snow on its mountains.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of enthusiast

Noun

Wessel said that most guests enjoy perusing, but some, namely the horror fanatics, come in looking for specific limited-run items such as a new Jason Voorhees Monster Energy drink.

— Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
He’s been described in different articles as a bit of a fitness fanatic.

— Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of fanatic

Browse Nearby Words

mania

maniac

maniacal

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“Maniac.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maniac. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of maniac

noun

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