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 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 Bardem is captivating and formidable, grinning with maniacal glee at his every act of depravity and the fear and anguish of his victims. — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 June 2026 The two auteurs share a flair for spinning societal critique into maniacal physical comedy. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for maniacal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for maniacal

Adjective

Psychiatric disorders are generally divided into mood disorders and psychotic disorders, Osborne said; postpartum psychosis is a mood disorder, in which mood symptoms accompany psychotic symptoms.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
But to make some generalization that all career women are psychotic because Glenn Close happened to be psychotic at the end of that movie is just silly.

— Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of psychotic

Adjective

And their friendship, a folie à deux spiral of insane ideas powered by ungodly quantities of pot, becomes akin to a superpower.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
These mega facilities are popping up everywhere which means lots of people are spending insane money instead of pulling out the hose and bucket.

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of insane

Adjective

There was also a stream of characters who visited the island, from a pop group to a movie producer, a mad scientist, and Russian cosmonauts.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Aug. 2026
There are a few pages spent on Deflategate (that made Brady mad), only a few paragraphs devoted to Aaron Hernandez, none on Spygate.

— Darren Cooper, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of mad

Adjective

Check the number, ask one practical question, and choose what supports your comfort without adding unnecessary clutter, cost, or mental noise today.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
Andrew’s research now largely focuses on how brain function is associated with various mental states—in particular, religious and mystical experiences.

— Big Think, Big Think, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of mental

Browse Nearby Words

maniac

maniacal

maniacs

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“Maniacal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maniacal. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of maniacal

adjective

Example Sentences

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