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
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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
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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
-
Our family couldn’t be more excited to welcome baby #3 soon!—
Kimberlee Speakman,
People.com,
26 July 2025
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Signs that may indicate you are include: keeping eye contact with a soft, loving gaze; physical contact, including licking, leaning, and sleeping in tour bed; bringing you gifts; and just being generally excited to see you.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
Amanda learned in like 10 seconds, which is insane.—
Scott Roxborough,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Mar. 2025
-
The emu egg—a two pound, eight-inch ovoid with a sultry teal shell gently speckled in pale green—seemed like just the right absurdist final flourish for an already insane endeavor.—
Helen Rosner,
The New Yorker,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Florida Republicans are enthusiastic about Alligator Alcatraz.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
24 July 2025
-
While the race will be held at the Naval Base Coronado, the city is enthusiastic to host a Nascar weekend.—
Joseph Wolkin,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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Marketing and advertising have undergone a similar shift from mad men to math men.—
Kian Bakhtiari,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
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People are very, very confused, and some people are very disappointed and mad.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 July 2025
Adjective
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Another raw one was much rougher but still checked the box, one almost impossible to mark for even the avid Brown collector.—
The Athletic Collectibles Staff,
New York Times,
1 Aug. 2025
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The Ray Foundation was established in 1963 by James C. Ray and his wife, Joan, both avid aviators.—
Cyril A. Reinicke,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 July 2025
Adjective
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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
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Lewis prescribed Price anti-psychotic medication after a mental health referral Sept. 1.—
Thomas Saccente,
Arkansas Online,
17 Jan. 2023
Adjective
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The historic Civil War fort opens its rooms, galleries, and grounds to visitors eager to learn about life as a Union soldier.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
27 July 2025
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The tournament drew crowds from across Gauteng, eager to witness high-intensity action from top teams battling for the R500,000 winner-takes-all prize.—
Sindiswa Mabunda,
Forbes.com,
27 July 2025
Adjective
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But also, the Big Ten’s maniacal College Football Playoff push and, of course, realignment.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
30 July 2025
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Christopher McDonald also reprises his role as maniacal pro-golfer Shooter McGavin, while Benny Safdie, Bad Bunny, Travis Kelce and Sandler’s real-life wife and kids — Jackie, Sunny and Sadie — joined the cast.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bonkers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bonkers. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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