variants
also maniac
as in psychotic
having or showing a very abnormal or sick state of mind
the movie's villain was a just a clichéd axe-wielding nutcase with a maniacal laugh
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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
Even with the extra responsibility on offense, Hidalgo’s effort on defense was predictably maniacal, resulting in three steals.
—
Sabreena Merchant, The Athletic, 13 Dec. 2024
But there was a hint of the maniacal as that finale began, as if the third movement’s eeriness had lingered.
—Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2024
The actor, 28, plays Lucius in director Ridley Scott's sequel to 2000's Gladiator, picking up the story in a tyrannical Rome 16 years after Maximus (Russell Crowe) defeated the maniacal Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix).
—Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Hechinger and Joseph Quinn play twin maniacal emperors Caracalla and Geta, respectively.
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for maniacal 
Sabreena Merchant, The Athletic, 13 Dec. 2024
But there was a hint of the maniacal as that finale began, as if the third movement’s eeriness had lingered.
—Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2024
The actor, 28, plays Lucius in director Ridley Scott's sequel to 2000's Gladiator, picking up the story in a tyrannical Rome 16 years after Maximus (Russell Crowe) defeated the maniacal Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix).
—Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Hechinger and Joseph Quinn play twin maniacal emperors Caracalla and Geta, respectively.
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for maniacal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maniacal
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
-
With his shock of spiky hair and adrenaline rushes, Smith turns a corporate villain into a lunatic new-wave frontman.Charles McNultyTheater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2023
-
The first personality is the lunatic, chaotic artist, with no limits.John Bleasdale, Variety, 8 Dec. 2022
Adjective
-
Contrary to popular belief, peanuts are actually not nuts.Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2023
-
Nonetheless, April 5, 2022, was nuts.Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 16 Mar. 2023
Adjective
-
Galls can begin semisoft but harden with a cracked surface over time, though plants won’t necessarily display symptoms the same season or year they were infected.Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2023
-
In recent years, several stretches of the aqueduct system have been drained to allow replacement of cracked and bulging sections of century-old concrete.Louis Sahagún, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2023
Adjective
-
Williamson said earlier this week that his hamstring is completely healed, but his mental state remains a work in progress.oregonlive, oregonlive, 13 Apr. 2023
-
Sign up That Torrance pushed Vial and Eduardo to such mental anguish does not surprise immigrant-justice advocates.María Inés Taracena, The New Republic, 12 Apr. 2023
Thesaurus Entries Near maniacal
Cite this Entry
“Maniacal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maniacal. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share