ma·ni·ac
ˈmā-nē-ˌak 
plural maniacs
1
informal
: someone who is or acts mentally unsound
especially
: a person who behaves in a wildly foolish, reckless, or dangerous manner
Don't drive like a maniac.
There was a high wire strung from one shore to the other and some maniac in ballet slippers and tights was walking the wire … —
E. L. Doctorow
E. L. Doctorow In The Bat Whispers the heroine is sealed in a dark room with a homicidal maniac. —Scott MacQueen
Scott MacQueen 2
informal
: a person who is extremely enthusiastic about something
a sports maniac
Comic book maniacs and superhero look-alikes gathered at the Cross County Mall in suburban West Palm Beach to buy, sell and talk about the arcane world of comics.—Stefan Fatsis
Stefan Fatsis
ma·ni·ac
ˈmā-nē-ˌak
less common variant of maniacal
1
: affected with or suggestive of madness
maniacal laughter
maniacal energy
a maniacal killer
2
: characterized by ungovernable excitement or frenzy : frantic
a maniacal mob
maniacal fans
Synonyms
Examples of maniac in a Sentence
Noun
He's a complete maniac when he's playing football.
they should permanently put away the maniac who is responsible for these kidnappings
Recent Examples on the Web
Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024
To let mystics into this realm leads to error, disorder, and insurrection—to government by fanatics, maniacs, and despots claiming divinity.
—Simon Critchley, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024
The Arizona Republic, 14 Mar. 2024
None of this pays off in any fashion, as potentially interesting plot threads are rapidly dropped in favor of a typical maniac plot.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 25 Oct. 2023
See all Example Sentences for maniac 
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Noun
In the franchise that's become way too timely for comfort, the first film is tops, with Ethan Hawke trying to keep his family safe from masked maniacs during an all-night legal crime spree.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024
To let mystics into this realm leads to error, disorder, and insurrection—to government by fanatics, maniacs, and despots claiming divinity.
—Simon Critchley, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024
Adjective
At first glance, Torres’ debut film seems like a quirky, millennial visual feast about a desperate El Salvadorian and a maniac artist.
—The Arizona Republic, 14 Mar. 2024
None of this pays off in any fashion, as potentially interesting plot threads are rapidly dropped in favor of a typical maniac plot.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 25 Oct. 2023
See all Example Sentences for maniac
Dictionary Entries Near maniac
Cite this Entry
“Maniac.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maniac. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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maniac
noun
ma·ni·ac
ˈmā-nē-ˌak
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