maniacally
Americanadverb
-
in a way that is reminiscent of a violently insane person.
A touch on the shoulder would likely be received differently from a smiling person than from a person who is laughing maniacally.
-
in an overzealous or excessively enthusiastic way; fanatically.
Far from being the maniacally focused, late-night or early-morning types, truly creative innovators and problem solvers have a rich life outside of work.
-
in a way that is related to or typical of manic disorder.
I can tell I'm maniacally spending if I stop and pay attention to how many purchases I have to return.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of maniacally
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She feigns outrage loudly, according to people who like her, and yells maniacally, according to people who don’t.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 5, 2026
“I don’t think we have the luxury of picking just one and staying maniacally focused on it because it could be that you pick the wrong one and then you’re making bad decisions,” Hammack said.
From Barron's ● Jun. 3, 2026
While the quote is accurate, the image of Schumer maniacally grinning as he says it is completely fabricated.
From Salon ● Nov. 29, 2025
Don’t be fooled, however: The maniacally focused McVay loves not having to deal with distractions at work, even pleasant ones.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 11, 2024
Butterflies by the thousands fluttered maniacally before the headlights then exploded like tiny half-angels on the windshield leaving a scant yellow paint and the dust of broken wings as a final signature.
From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
