1
as in excited
informal
showing urgent desire or interest
The friends are bonkers about the new video game, and play together for hours at a time.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in insane
informal + sometimes offensive
unable to think in a clear or sensible way
She spent her last years as a totally bonkers recluse in a decaying mansion.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 bonkers
Hulu’s new show from the creator of Luther is a totally bonkers melange of sci-fi scenarios, global doom, and stabbiness.
—
Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2018
Graffiti historian Roger Gastman—who helped orchestrate MOCA’s record-setting Art in the Streets show in 2011—takes over a 40,000-square-foot warehouse on the edge of Chinatown for a totally bonkers street art experience.
—Marielle Wakim, Los Angeles Magazine, 21 June 2018
Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2018
Graffiti historian Roger Gastman—who helped orchestrate MOCA’s record-setting Art in the Streets show in 2011—takes over a 40,000-square-foot warehouse on the edge of Chinatown for a totally bonkers street art experience.
—Marielle Wakim, Los Angeles Magazine, 21 June 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bonkers
Adjective
-
Bobby and Connie’s first steps into official coupledom, however, puts a satisfying capper on their reunion arc this season, and leaves me very excited for where these two go next.—
Genevieve Koski,
Vulture,
6 Aug. 2025
-
During the quarter-mile hike, one of the young participants was excited to find a salamander underneath a log.—
Deena Butterfield,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Amanda learned in like 10 seconds, which is insane.—
Scott Roxborough,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Mar. 2025
-
If 51% of the population is being so underserved, the ratio to opportunity is insane.—
Gemma Allen,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Audiences were almost as enthusiastic awarding it 91% which explains why its views surged.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
-
The new school year kicked off at R. Roger Rowe School on Aug. 11, an enthusiastic welcome back that included a fun photo station for student arrivals, big smiles and helping hands from teachers and greetings from the school mascot.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Though it's deemed an accident in the play by Queen Gertrude, Ophelia was considered mad and the possibility of suicide was not ruled out.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Instead, this is an ice hockey-style slide-and-bump affair; hitting an opponent from the side simply gives an annoying temporary jolt (which also disrupts their shooting motion) while hitting an opponent head-on forces a loose ball turnover and a mad scramble for the ball.—
Kyle Orland,
ArsTechnica,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Booth is an avid donor to both KU and the University of Chicago and previously donated $50 million to KU football in 2017.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Brown was an avid fitness enthusiast and amateur body builder who regularly worked out at Anytime Fitness in Forest Lake, Glader said.—
Mary Divine,
Twin Cities,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The counselor also told police Trotman had had a previous psychotic break in which he was found wandering the woods.—
Peter Hermann,
Washington Post,
7 Feb. 2023
-
Lewis prescribed Price anti-psychotic medication after a mental health referral Sept. 1.—
Thomas Saccente,
Arkansas Online,
17 Jan. 2023
Adjective
-
After the first four episodes of the show’s new installment were released on Wednesday, Aug. 6, fans were eager to see the singer, 39, in her guest starring role.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
It’s created a new market opportunity for brands eager to peddle protein-forward products to this growing demographic.—
Boutayna Chokrane,
Wired News,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Yet what starts as sensible due diligence becomes maniacal overpreparation.—
Melissa Sierra,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
-
The Redeem Team’s most entertaining stories revolve around Bryant’s maniacal work ethic.—
Skyler Trepel Published,
EW.com,
10 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bonkers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bonkers. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share