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

Overton, however, claimed that both informants were lying — and that the semen found on the comforter was planted on the scene by a spurned ex-lover with connections to the police department.

— Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
The professionalization worked, but at the expense of the site’s internal culture, Cooke argues, as generous eccentrics were displaced by neurotic lovers of rules.

— Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of lover

Noun

Don’t let the building’s modern facade fool you, the rooms are minimalist yet warm with wood flooring, floral wallpaper, and hand-knotted rugs.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
In these labors, Carson is akin to two other recent laureates, Jon Fosse and László Krasznahorkai, our foremost writers of holy fools.

— Merve Emre, New Yorker, 8 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

In short, the encyclopedia is being destroyed by its biggest beneficiaries, like a golden goose slaughtered for slop-pâté.

— Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026
Ternus’ interaction with IShowSpeed is clearly designed to capture this (and, of course, to goose preorder numbers among the influencer’s young and massive audience).

— Andrew R. Chow, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of goose

Noun

This simultaneously makes this XPS the slickest and most portable of the Googlebook launch lineup and a tough sell for anyone who isn't an Android enthusiast or app developer.

— Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026
Young enthusiasts, families and people who appreciate automotive design can find something to enjoy.

— Chris Hardesty, AJC.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of enthusiast

Noun

While Musk fanatics expressed their excitement on social media, the Roadster isn't likely to have any material financial impact on the company.

— Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
Matthieu Blazy’s offering of 83 different shoes styles on the Chanel runway is a fashion fanatic’s dream.

— Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of fanatic

Browse Nearby Words

mania

maniac

maniacal

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Style

“Maniac.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maniac. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of maniac

noun

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