MANIACAL Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

maniacal

adjective

mə-ˈnī-ə-kəl

variants also maniac

Definition of maniacal

as in psychotic

unable to think in a clear or sensible way The show's maniacal villain has no method to his madness.

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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 maniacal Erling Haaland, Norway’s large, maniacal striker, has several exceedingly Norwegian traits. — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 30 June 2026 The president as a maniacal urban planner is a white-knuckle ride, with Washington — and Washingtonians — just holding on for dear life. — Maureen Dowd, Mercury News, 23 June 2026 One of Anthropic’s great strengths compared to its archrival OpenAI is its maniacal focus. — Rob Toews, Forbes.com, 22 June 2026 Gilmore said before unleashing a maniacal laugh. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for maniacal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for maniacal

Adjective

After she was sent back to Los Angeles, Leigh suffered a psychotic break.

— Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026
Both women’s attorneys have claimed their clients suffered from psychotic episodes.

— Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of psychotic

Adjective

That everyone commits so fearlessly — and with such straight faces — to the Zellners’ berserk world-building is a joy to behold, aided by a terrific jukebox soundtrack and a chaotic, entropic plot that builds and builds to insane levels of carnage.

— Damon Wise, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026
Sure, this sounds insane, but the real insanity is how much New York mismanages its education system and how little attention the problem receives in Albany.

— Zilvinas "Z" Silenas, New York Daily News, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of insane

Adjective

When the Farmer destroys the flock’s beloved pumpkin patch, Shaun turns mad scientist to fix the problem, only for events to spiral out of control as a wild beast roams the woods of Mossingham.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 20 Sep. 2026
The show, which stars Jessica Chastain as an investigator who infiltrates online hate groups to prevent incidents of mad violence.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of mad

Adjective

The underlying argument is that mental-health support is a set of techniques and interventions, and that once machines learn to marshal these effectively, all will be well.

— Steven Barrie-Anthony, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2026
Their mental anguish, out-of-pocket expenses, the time caregivers devote to their work, the wages lost from forgone work — all create spectacular costs for America’s families.

— Jason Karlawish, STAT, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of mental

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maniac

maniacal

maniacs

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“Maniacal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maniacal. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of maniacal

adjective

Example Sentences

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