1
as in lunatic
a person judged to be legally or medically insane
they should permanently put away the maniac who is responsible for these kidnappings
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2
as in lover
a person with a strong and habitual liking for something
I'm a maniac for anything flavored with peppermint
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of maniac
Where Brits feel like suspicious maniacs—one of the most rewarding things about UK Traits is seeing relatively clever people so certain in their wrongness—Americans are lambs to the slaughter, bound up in factions blind to internal threats.
—
Raven Smith, Vogue, 12 Feb. 2025
Bex and her team spend each episode tracking down homicidal maniacs.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 3 Feb. 2025
YouTube videos may offer sentimental types and younger curiosity seekers a means to luxuriate in the Old Way of Doing Things, but only a maniac would truly want to go back to that era.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 24 Jan. 2025
The simple plot follows a, yes, slumber party gone wrong when a power-tool-wielding maniac crashes the party and picks off the girls one by one.
—Meagan Navarro, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for maniac
Raven Smith, Vogue, 12 Feb. 2025
Bex and her team spend each episode tracking down homicidal maniacs.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 3 Feb. 2025
YouTube videos may offer sentimental types and younger curiosity seekers a means to luxuriate in the Old Way of Doing Things, but only a maniac would truly want to go back to that era.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 24 Jan. 2025
The simple plot follows a, yes, slumber party gone wrong when a power-tool-wielding maniac crashes the party and picks off the girls one by one.
—Meagan Navarro, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for maniac
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maniac
Noun
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But through it all, he’s also been a lover of golf and has worked with Malbon Golf, Greyson and FootJoy.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
27 Mar. 2025
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Huge news for cottagecore lovers, vintage enthusiasts, and home cooks alike: The beloved Lenox Spice Village is finally back.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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These psychopaths care more about enforcing DEI than saving lives!—
Khaleda Rahman,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
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Some of the more jarring sequences remain amusing despite their brashness: At one point, for example, Mickey narrates a shocking vignette—about a psychopath on Earth who printed multiple copies of himself to carry out grisly murders—with the resigned, wary tone of an office worker.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Sofia Richie Grainge, another celebrity fan, once described the cult product’s appeal on TikTok.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
22 Mar. 2025
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The Kansas City Chiefs tight end, 35, appeared to playfully flaunt his butt to bystanders while playing golf with Patrick Mahomes at the Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina, as seen in fan photos shared on X.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
People.com,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Historically, betting against bigs who can pass is a fool’s errand.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
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Here’s the deal: Chasing quick wins is a fool’s errand.—
Jonathan Wagner,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Psychologically, the fear of being a sucker is a distinctly aversive feeling.—
Tess Wilkinson-Ryan,
TIME,
18 Mar. 2025
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My theory is that this sticky sucker is so tough to slice that the poor bakery employee said screw it.—
Martin Vassolo,
Axios,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Texturally, the series is best categorized as a psycho-thriller, but the design of the episodes is never redundant.—
WIRED,
WIRED,
17 Mar. 2023
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Another summer, another hook-wielding psycho killer — and maybe some familiar faces too.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
7 Feb. 2023
Noun
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With a 26% discount, this outdoor security camera is a must-have for serious security enthusiasts.—
Shubham Yewale,
PCMAG,
25 Mar. 2025
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The bad news is that these hardcore outdoor enthusiasts were the folks most likely to buy a second mountain bike, a new rack of trad gear, or a high-end backcountry ski setup.—
Corey Buhay,
Outside Online,
24 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Basketball fanatics can catch games throughout the tournament on CBS, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU, TBS, TNT and TruTV.—
Brendan Le,
People.com,
17 Mar. 2025
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Sports fanatics have always rooted for their baseball squads on the road, headed to Las Vegas for a big fight or gotten friends together for a golf getaway.—
DeMarco Williams,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Maniac.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maniac. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.
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