1
as in lunatic
a person judged to be legally or medically insane
they should permanently put away the maniac who is responsible for these kidnappings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in lover
a person with a strong and habitual liking for something
I'm a maniac for anything flavored with peppermint
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example 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 maniac
The simple plot follows a, yes, slumber party gone wrong when a power-tool-wielding maniac crashes the party and picks off the girls one by one.
—
Meagan Navarro, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024
And yet a half-century later, producer Lorne Michaels and his merry maniacs are still at it.
—Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025
Isaiah Stewart has become a defensive maniac as a full-time center.
—Fred Katz, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
Whiplash Watch on Netflix Photo: Courtesy of TIFF Woman of the Hour
Year: 2024
Runtime: 1h 35m
Director: Anna Kendrick
One of the best thrillers of 2024 also marks the directorial debut of Anna Kendrick, who stars as a woman who had a brush with a maniac.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maniac
Meagan Navarro, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024
And yet a half-century later, producer Lorne Michaels and his merry maniacs are still at it.
—Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025
Isaiah Stewart has become a defensive maniac as a full-time center.
—Fred Katz, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
Whiplash Watch on Netflix Photo: Courtesy of TIFF Woman of the Hour
Year: 2024
Runtime: 1h 35m
Director: Anna Kendrick
One of the best thrillers of 2024 also marks the directorial debut of Anna Kendrick, who stars as a woman who had a brush with a maniac.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maniac
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maniac
Noun
-
Despite his hardened outlook on Heis, Rema remains a lover at heart.—
Mankaprr Conteh,
Rolling Stone,
14 Mar. 2025
-
The film premieres March 15 at the Roxy Cinema in New York, and stars Dario Yazbek Bernal and Jack Irv as two lovers whose whirlwind romance sends them down a rabbit hole of drugs and depravity in Manhattan’s underworld.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
These psychopaths care more about enforcing DEI than saving lives!—
Khaleda Rahman,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Some of the more jarring sequences remain amusing despite their brashness: At one point, for example, Mickey narrates a shocking vignette—about a psychopath on Earth who printed multiple copies of himself to carry out grisly murders—with the resigned, wary tone of an office worker.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The actor is a longtime fan of the French soccer team.—
Hannah Malach,
WWD,
10 Mar. 2025
-
Cardi, a fan of the show, teased the trailer wearing a very mid-aughts hair color combo that would've been right at home on Hayley Williams or the local skate park.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Once infused with the diabolical spirit, the guide is transformed into a buffoon, complete with a harlequin outfit—a mad joker and a dancing fool who does a little jig to the sound of a jazz trio.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
11 Mar. 2025
-
The two murderers point fingers at one another, then end up teaming up to go fool Lottie’s poor elderly father.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Clip away suckers or small sprouts that are growing from the base of the tree.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Extended deterrence was a sham, and the people who relied on it were suckers.—
Gideon Rose,
Foreign Affairs,
8 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Texturally, the series is best categorized as a psycho-thriller, but the design of the episodes is never redundant.—
WIRED,
WIRED,
17 Mar. 2023
-
Another summer, another hook-wielding psycho killer — and maybe some familiar faces too.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
7 Feb. 2023
Noun
-
The film begins with the league’s sole enthusiast, Franny (Cliff Blake), settling onto the grass with his portable card table, his pocket binoculars, and his scorecard; slowly, the players begin to dribble onto the field.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
14 Mar. 2025
-
This attention to detail creates experiences that keep critics and food enthusiasts coming back for more.—
Jill Barth,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Where fans and fanatics are able to watch the skills, competitiveness and action drawing plays, leaving many people in disbelief and amazement right in their own home.—
Adam Rumanek,
Rolling Stone,
13 Mar. 2025
-
People who were skeptical of this all-consuming love fest were viewed as crazy racists and messianic fanatics.—
Uri Kurlianchik,
National Review,
25 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Maniac.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maniac. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share