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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of maniac
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
However, unexpected and decidedly unwelcome guests keep turning up, including Beau’s brother, and a man who might be a homicidal maniac.
—Matthew J. Palm, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2026
Maybe civil war could’ve been avoided this time around, too, had Xander not been such an anti-ghoul maniac.
—Jack King, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
That was the only understated thing this certified maniac said or did all night long.
—Ew Staff December 5, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maniac
John Ficarra, Air Mail, 14 Feb. 2026
However, unexpected and decidedly unwelcome guests keep turning up, including Beau’s brother, and a man who might be a homicidal maniac.
—Matthew J. Palm, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2026
Maybe civil war could’ve been avoided this time around, too, had Xander not been such an anti-ghoul maniac.
—Jack King, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
That was the only understated thing this certified maniac said or did all night long.
—Ew Staff December 5, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maniac
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maniac
Noun
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Friends with a sudden devotion to nature begin making plans to convene in parks; TurboTax becomes your closest email companion; your risk of injury at the hands of a lunatic on a City Bike, haunted by the memory of a New Year’s resolution to exercise, may increase.—
Elly Leavitt,
Vogue,
25 Mar. 2026
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio wasn’t far behind, saying the war is being waged against religious lunatics.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That’s probably why class-crossed lovers make such fertile ground for fiction—look at Heathcliff and Cathy, or poor Scudder and Maurice.—
Cressida Leyshon,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
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Options for 2026 include food cruises that travel through Burgundy and Provence and a 15-day wine lovers cruise on the Rhine and Seine Rivers.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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And what kind of fool would write such an article?—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
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Start with a pastel pink French tip, then treat each nail as a canvas for delicate swan art (or opt for stickers for a fool-proof DIY).—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But to think that suckers get an even break when insiders have information that assures them of winning is folly.—
William Mersey,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
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Invasive vines like Virginia creeper, English ivy, and buckthorn can strangle trees, for example, and some aggressive trees may spread via underground suckers and roots.—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Gangemi had spoken to an ornithologist at Cornell who said that the goose population would likely bounce back.—
Emma Allen,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
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Stimulus from the One Big Beautiful Bill in 2025 is projected to goose growth, with lower regulations and a boost in tax refunds that could help consumers cope with elevated prices.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The three-day event draws more than 100,000 fans every year for the festival, which headlines largely country music acts while raising money for marine conservation.—
Joan Murray,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
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The fan tried to offer some context.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
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To make our lineup, The Times surveyed more than 200 authors, publishers, journalists and general book club enthusiasts to select the best book club reads in 10 categories, including romance, mystery, memoir and literary fiction.—
Brittany Levine Beckman,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
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Domestic print and digital entertainment like this tends to thrust enthusiasts into a niche, like drifting or stance culture.—
Caleb Jacobs,
The Drive,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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So, that’s something for football fanatics, hoops heads and soccer aficionados.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
3 Apr. 2026
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio said radical religious fanatics leading Iran can’t be trusted with a nuclear weapon after attacking embassies and hotels during the war.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Maniac.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maniac. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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