variants
also maniac
as in psychotic
unable to think in a clear or sensible way
The show's maniacal villain has no method to his madness.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 maniacal
O’Connell goes all in on maniacal Sir Jimmy while Fiennes eats up needle drops like a demon.
—
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 13 Jan. 2026
The film — about an ex-revolutionary (DiCaprio) tracking down and rescuing his daughter (Chase Infiniti) from the clutches of a maniacal army officer (Penn) — also earned Anderson a pair of Golden Globes for Best Director and Best Screenplay.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
Colloquial slang in reverence to the most maniacal competitors.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
In keeping with Marty Supreme’s tachycardiac tempo and its titular character’s maniacal hustle, Chalamet was adamant that the execution not feel too polished.
—Mattie Kahn, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maniacal
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 13 Jan. 2026
The film — about an ex-revolutionary (DiCaprio) tracking down and rescuing his daughter (Chase Infiniti) from the clutches of a maniacal army officer (Penn) — also earned Anderson a pair of Golden Globes for Best Director and Best Screenplay.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
Colloquial slang in reverence to the most maniacal competitors.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
In keeping with Marty Supreme’s tachycardiac tempo and its titular character’s maniacal hustle, Chalamet was adamant that the execution not feel too polished.
—Mattie Kahn, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maniacal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maniacal
Adjective
-
Is this lucid state only temporary based on the recent anti-psychotic meds he was given by Kelson?—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Jan. 2026
-
The peak of a psychedelic experience can therefore share similarities with psychosis; and, for people with undiagnosed underlying conditions, this can increase the severity of manic and psychotic symptoms, as the findings of a recent paper concluded.—
Mattha Busby,
Rolling Stone,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This moment marked the crux of a seemingly insane personal challenge that Liberato—an ultrarunner, coach, and yes, regular psychedelics user—took on in 2025.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
22 Jan. 2026
-
What's going on in Minneapolis is insane Come on.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
And everyone is mad at Andrew—though this one feels like a rumor and more reality.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
7 Jan. 2026
-
He’s been thrown straight into a mad month, in which Chelsea have Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Champions League fixtures.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
What a crazy winter this had been.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Holding space for your interests, priorities and life circumstances is good offense, but a crazy job market also requires strong career defense, such as plugging up your financial foundation and skill gaps.—
Caroline Ceniza-Levine,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Does the client have a specific mental disorder?—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The feeling was unfamiliar, since my usual mental coordinates place me somewhere in the proximate future, a locus of anticipation and, all too often, unfocused worry.—
Michael Pollan,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Maniacal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maniacal. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
