insane

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈsān How to pronounce insane (audio)
Definition of insanenext
1
as in mad
unable to think in a clear or sensible way After learning of the robbery, they were insane with anger and foolishly searched the neighborhood looking for their belongings.

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2
as in absurd
conceived or made without regard for reason or reality a completely insane plan to build an opera house in the middle of nowhere

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3
as in stupid
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment an insane plan to blow all of their savings on lottery tickets

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4
as in excessive
going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount wanted an insane amount of money to paint our house

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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 insane The initial series was an insane smash hit for HBO, two spinoff series have taken off, and multiple others are in development. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 26 June 2026 That dwarfs anything the powerhouse Spain teams did in the early 2010s, when the team was known for stringing together an insane number of passes that led to a goal. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 29 June 2026 For example, Fred Again is absolutely doing insane things with the MPC Lives. — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 30 June 2026 But if the improbable happens and results twist favourably for them, the affectionately-insane Tartan Army can expect to be in Mexico City to meet co-hosts Mexico next Tuesday. — Phil Hay, New York Times, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for insane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insane
  1. mad
  2. absurd
  3. stupid
  4. excessive
  5. maniacal
  6. bizarre
  7. crazy
  8. extreme
Adjective
  • Getting mad about missing out on signing Anfernee Simons won’t change that.
    — Nick Friedell, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • When World Cup season descends upon soccer-mad Brazil, green and yellow banners decorate restaurants, bars and apartment buildings, streets are painted with flags and soccer balls, and discussions of the beloved national team's games are ubiquitous.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Definition of mad
Adjective
  • The 41-year-old is still an elite NBA player, which is still an absurd reality to consider.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 1 July 2026
  • The thesis rests on a claim that would have sounded absurd a year ago.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of absurd
Adjective
  • And no, that was NOT OutKick or FOX who wrote that stupid headline.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • The thing about House of the Dragon is that everything really is quite stupid.
    — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 June 2026
Definition of stupid
Adjective
  • Last month, six women interviewed by the Times described concerning behavior by Platner, including excessive drinking, infidelity, and, in one account, physical intimidation.
    — Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Black residents of the city have expressed fear of harassment and concerns about trading high crime for excessive policing.
    — Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 6 July 2026
Definition of excessive
Adjective
  • 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
Definition of maniacal
Adjective
  • When this place is eventually gone — a phrase that feels truly bizarre given the environment this summer and the half-century preceding it — the lasting images will be the seas of red.
    — Sam McDowell Updated July 3, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
  • Continue reading … 'DEEPLY WEIRD' — CNN panel's bizarre 'read as Jewish' comment about a senator draws fierce blowback.
    — , FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of bizarre
Adjective
  • That crazy gorgeous Bad Man Blue, and something Harley has called Inferno Gray with Wet Slide Graphics.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 July 2026
  • But in addition to these crazy moments and plots, what the World Cup does every four years is put a bright spotlight on the best soccer players in the world.
    — Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 6 July 2026
Definition of crazy
Adjective
  • The National Weather Service said cool air from the north will push the heat dome, responsible for a heat wave that started midweek, south and west in the coming days, relieving some of the most extreme temperatures in the Northeast.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 5 July 2026
  • The laminate reinforces the glass to create a shatter-resistant barrier, preventing shards of glass from flying out during extreme weather.
    — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Definition of extreme

Browse Nearby Words

ins and outs
insane
insanely
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Cite this Entry

“Insane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insane. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on insane

Nglish: Translation of insane for Spanish Speakers

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