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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of maniacal
The Shadow Strays Year: 2024 Runtime: 2h 25m Director: Timo Tjahjanto
The maniacal director of The Night Comes for Us returns to Netflix with a chaotic epic about an assassin who revolts against her handlers.
—
Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2025
The volunteer stops speaking, and a slow, maniacal smile spreads across his face.
—Kathryn Kvas, The New Yorker, 31 Dec. 2024
And with that enhanced attention, the Bills were borderline maniacal on offense.
—Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
Jared Leto is set to play another maniacal laughing villain on screen.
—Lawrence Yee, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for maniacal 
Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2025
The volunteer stops speaking, and a slow, maniacal smile spreads across his face.
—Kathryn Kvas, The New Yorker, 31 Dec. 2024
And with that enhanced attention, the Bills were borderline maniacal on offense.
—Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
Jared Leto is set to play another maniacal laughing villain on screen.
—Lawrence Yee, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for maniacal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maniacal
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
-
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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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
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Nonetheless, April 5, 2022, was nuts.—
Childs Walker,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Mar. 2023
Adjective
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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
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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
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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
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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 1 Feb. 2025.
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