berserk

[ ber-surk, -zurk ]

adjective

1. violently or destructively frenzied; wild; crazed; deranged:

   He suddenly went berserk.

   Synonyms: lunatic, demented, rabid, maniacal, mad, violent

   Antonyms: calm, rational

noun

1. (sometimes initial capital letter) Scandinavian Legend. Also berserker. an ancient Norse warrior who fought with frenzied rage in battle, possibly induced by eating hallucinogenic mushrooms.

berserk

/ bəˈzɜːk; -ˈsɜːk /

adjective

1. frenziedly violent or destructive (esp in the phrase go berserk )

noun

1. Also calledberserker a member of a class of ancient Norse warriors who worked themselves into a frenzy before battle and fought with insane fury and courage

Other Words From

• ber·serk·ly adverb
• ber·serk·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of berserk¹

1865–70; < Old Norse berserkr, equivalent to ber- (either *ber-, base of bjǫrn bear ² or berr bare ¹ ) + serkr sark, shirt, armor

Word History and Origins

Origin of berserk¹

C19: Icelandic berserkr , from björn bear + serkr shirt

Example Sentences

In the middle of the game, one of the mascots lost his head and went berserk, pushing kids out of the way to find it.

From The Daily Beast

“She accused me of sexual harassment and went completely berserk,” he says.

From The Daily Beast

Just take it from this household appliance that goes completely berserk when the music starts.

From The Daily Beast

The throw by Yankee outfielder Shane Spencer went literally berserk.

From The Daily Beast

It was as if the human immune system had suddenly and inexplicably gone berserk.

From The Daily Beast

If she's gone Berserk on your account, I warn you that she's in the mood to marry the first man in the street who's kind to her.

From Project Gutenberg

It came only when Bob went berserk, and fought with his hands.

From Project Gutenberg

With that the big servo-pilot took off for 22A like a berserk robot and we were right behind him.

From Project Gutenberg

He muttered half aloud and then quite suddenly went berserk.

From Project Gutenberg

Hægberg was going about with his leather apron hanging down over one shoulder, as furious as a Berserk.

From Project Gutenberg