variants
also maniac
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
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Recent Examples of maniacal
Clearly, a straight line can be drawn from Lola to Moira Rose, the maniacal former soap-opera star, wig enthusiast, and erratic wife/mom on Schitt’s Creek (for which Catherine won an Emmy and a Golden Globe).
—
Merrill Markoe, Rolling Stone, 1 Feb. 2026
While these names are synonymous with game-time greatness, they’re also remembered for their near-maniacal approach to preparation.
—Shani Harmon, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Some of it is gut feeling based the maniacal want Cristobal has steeled in his players.
—Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2026
O’Connell goes all in on maniacal Sir Jimmy while Fiennes eats up needle drops like a demon.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for maniacal
Merrill Markoe, Rolling Stone, 1 Feb. 2026
While these names are synonymous with game-time greatness, they’re also remembered for their near-maniacal approach to preparation.
—Shani Harmon, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Some of it is gut feeling based the maniacal want Cristobal has steeled in his players.
—Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2026
O’Connell goes all in on maniacal Sir Jimmy while Fiennes eats up needle drops like a demon.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for maniacal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maniacal
Adjective
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People with the disorder usually experience a combination of psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations, delusions, and disorderly behavior.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
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Among prisoners, 8% had psychotic disorders, compared to less than 1% of the general population, the report said.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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This is not your $65,000-a-year job, someone who’s a janitor and is trying to talk in a school board meeting who really could lose his job for this opinion, which is insane.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
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Three years after Steven Yeun and Ali Wong captured the attention of viewers eager to see the culmination of their characters' insane road rage fight, the drama series is back, this time focusing on two couples with a new kind of beef.—
Madeleine Janz,
PEOPLE,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Auriemma was also mad that Staley did not participate in the traditional Final Four handshake before the game after the coaches were announced, though Staley had shaken his hand earlier.—
Lori Riley,
Hartford Courant,
5 Apr. 2026
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How to break the car rental rage cycle Don't get mad.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Even if the Bengals prefer to rely on Carter and Knight’s development, risky but not crazy, the lack of pedigree surrounding them is startling.—
Paul Dehner Jr,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
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Schlafly also had a distinctive ability to drive feminists crazy.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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This story is part of Peak, The Athletic’s desk covering the mental side of sports.—
Mike Conley,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
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For generations, 911 operators have been the backbone of the American emergency response network, answering calls for help, and then dispatching and coordinating police and firefighters, SWAT teams, mental-health counselors and animal-control officers.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Maniacal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maniacal. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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