maniacal

[muh-nahy-uh-kuhl]

adjective

1. of or relating to mania or a maniac.

maniacal

/ məˈnaɪəkəl, ˈmeɪnɪæk /

adjective

1. affected with or characteristic of mania

2. characteristic of or befitting a maniac

   maniacal laughter

Other Word Forms

• maniacally adverb
• postmaniacal adjective
• premaniacal adjective
• submaniacal adjective
• unmaniacal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of maniacal¹

First recorded in 1670–80; maniac + -al ¹

Example Sentences

There’s a deeper reason why recently he’s sounding even more maniacal.

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He’s maniacal in his attempt to rule over every place on the planet that speaks Russian or, more accurately, drinks Russian vodka.

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It's only the maniacal laughter in the fading bars that suggests this outlook is the purview of a madman.

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Only here, the goal was more lighthearted and the audience did succeed in freeing the performers from the clutches of a exaggeratedly maniacal owner.

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I slipped into the shoes of a maniacal 81-year-old widow so effortlessly it was almost frightening.

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Related Words

• delirious