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maniac

noun

ˈmā-nē-ˌak How to pronounce maniac (audio)
Definition of maniacnext
informal
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

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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

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
  1. lunatic
  2. lover
  3. fool
  4. sucker
  5. goose
  6. fan
  7. enthusiast
  8. fanatic
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
  • This year, there’s something for nearly every interest, from cheese lovers and bookworms to crafty adults and puzzle enthusiasts.
    — Casey DelBasso, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026
  • This is our introduction to He and She, two clownish, pugilistic lovers who are locked in a war of words, even as a literal war rages outside.
    — Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of lover
Noun
  • Miami’s pass rushing was nonexistent against Las Vegas Was all the talk about the improvement Chop Robinson (one tackle) made to his game fool’s gold?
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Deepfake candidates already clear live interviews, using voice cloning and real-time face swaps that fool experienced recruiters.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 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
  • 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
  • Still, the administrators, the commissioners and league presidents must recognize that if trade wars devolve into something more hateful and restrictive, team owners may find their golden goose has fallen into the crockpot.
    — Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of goose
Noun
  • The successor stadium is significantly larger—by over a half-a-million square feet—than what existed before while accommodating only 35,000 fans, a 26% reduction from the old stadium and, by far, the smallest capacity in the Big Ten.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Due to an overwhelming response on Day 1 that prevented many fans from casting ballots in the first round, Day 1 voting will continue to September 23.
    — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of fan
Noun
  • Her work combined British tailoring and historical references with deliberately confrontational elements, enthusiasts say.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Outdoor enthusiasts should plan a side trip to nearby Mastodon State Historic Site.
    — Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Travel + Leisure, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of enthusiast
Noun
  • Slow Horses fanatics will recognize her as one of the veteran MI5 operatives stuck in the agency’s version of purgatory, known as Slough House.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2026
  • Nineteen fanatics, acting in the name of Islam, killed 2,997 innocent men, women and children in New York City, in Washington, and on airplanes turned into weapons of mass murder.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of fanatic

Browse Nearby Words

mania
maniac
maniacal
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Cite this Entry

“Maniac.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maniac. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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