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 The odd thing about this choice is that, although the DSA’s platform is indeed chock-full of maniacal proposals, on this particular idea, the maniacs have a point. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 22 July 2026 The Destroyer accelerates with the single-minded wilfulness of a homicidal maniac. — New Atlas, 13 July 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 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

Now comes Netflix’s spin on the romantic comedy to end all romantic comedies, starring Emma Corrin and Jack Lowden as the characters at the center of literature’s original enemies-to-lovers trope.

— Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 5 Nov. 2026
While the drinks at Bastia, which are riffs on classic aperitivos and Italian-leaning cocktails, are excellent, cocktail lovers should pay a visit to Caletta, the hotel’s intimate 24-seat cocktail lounge.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of lover

Noun

From the opening, we are meant to wonder if Morris is a fool, besotted with this older, somewhat odd, controlling woman that no one in the family likes.

— John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
So to expect something dramatically different to immediately be forthcoming less than 10 games in largely would stand as a fool’s errand.

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of fool

Noun

How could anyone in the military support a repulsive, draft-dodging coward who called dead soldiers suckers and losers?

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 30 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of sucker

Noun

Other attractions include the Karen Blixen Museum (for Out of Africa fans) and shopping.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026
But even those fans of her socially clumsy and feverishly party-planning mayor’s assistant Patricia on that series may not be prepared for her soulful, wrenching work in Mike Leigh’s latest film.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of fan

Noun

In Swizz’s current phase of life, more than 20 years into his music career, more than a decade of collecting art, and less than a year into his adventures in furniture, the design enthusiast is newly energized.

— Elise Brisco, VIBE.com, 7 Nov. 2026
The Edge is a great fit for cyclists and motorsport enthusiasts, divers and climbers, and anyone else who wants a small, tough video camera to record their exploits.

— Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of enthusiast

Noun

The larger proportions are more in line with those of the shoe in its earlier lifespan, a detail that hadn’t gone unnoticed among Air Max fanatics over the years.

— Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026
Her 22nd book comes out in February, and her fans are fanatics.

— Megan O’Sullivan, Vogue, 26 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 11 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of maniac

noun

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