maniacal

adjective

mə-ˈnī-ə-kəl How to pronounce maniacal (audio)
variants also maniac
Definition of maniacalnext
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

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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 The odd thing about this choice is that, although the DSA’s platform is indeed chock-full of maniacal proposals, on this particular idea, the maniacs have a point. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 22 July 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for maniacal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maniacal
  1. psychotic
  2. insane
  3. mad
  4. crazy
  5. mental
Adjective
  • Unfortunately, his doctor interprets all the screaming about an alien presence in Thomas’ head as a garden-variety psychotic breakdown, and remands him to a more secure facility.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
  • It may also be used to treat certain other psychotic conditions, such as psychosis arising in Parkinson disease.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of psychotic
Adjective
  • Cohen and Harwood grew up in Maryland, studying Top 40 hits and FL Studio tutorials; in some ways, this fun, formalist record—impeccable songcraft, insane sprezzatura—plays like a tribute to those days.
    — Samuel Hyland, Pitchfork, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Many have told me that Veronica Beard has copied more small brands, this is insane.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of insane
Adjective
  • These three are just the latest in a mad rush for capital that has been putting a strain on the AI trade.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Both about power-mad blondes getting involved with the shadier side of the medical industrial complex, but Matt Hagen’s nanites worked, dammit!
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of mad
Adjective
  • Is that the kind of hubristic myth-of-genius move that often drives proxy firms and large shareholders crazy?
    — Diane Brady, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Of all the crazy things that had befallen him since skiing Everest—Prince Harry buying him rounds, Meghan Markle texting him on the crag, dining with John Malkovich—one stood out.
    — Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of crazy
Adjective
  • The mental toll that comes with Ebola Losing relatives to disease outbreaks is always difficult, but responders say grief can be especially severe with Ebola in a country where the disease is viewed by many as evil due to rumors and misconceptions.
    — Constant Same Bagalwa, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Their alluring quality belies their extreme toxicity; at times used as a hallucinogen, their ingestion can cause severe mental confusion and even death.
    — Tatiane de Assis, ARTnews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of mental

Browse Nearby Words

maniac
maniacal
maniacs
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Cite this Entry

“Maniacal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maniacal. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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