Word
maniacal
Phoneticsma·ni·a·cal, stress on the second syllable
US/məˈnaɪəkəɫ/
UK/mɐnˈaɪəkəl/
Definition
adj. wild and out of control, with crazy energy or excitement. You use it for laughter, behaviour, or focus that feels too intense to be normal.
adj. exhibiting frenzied, uncontrolled energy or obsessive intensity suggestive of mania. Often describes laughter, drive, or attention that appears excessive and irrational.
Examples
“He gives a maniacal laugh during the game.”
“The tired parents hear maniacal laughter coming from the children's room past midnight.”
“The leader pursued his plan with maniacal focus, ignoring warnings from advisers and clear evidence of harm.”
Examples
simple
“He gives a maniacal laugh during the game.”
contextual
“The tired parents hear maniacal laughter coming from the children's room past midnight.”
complex
“The leader pursued his plan with maniacal focus, ignoring warnings from advisers and clear evidence of harm.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “maniacal” in context.
Verb
01. become maniacal
“The fans became maniacal when their team scored in extra time.”
verb + adj
02. border on maniacal
“His obsession with fitness borders on maniacal at times.”
verb + prep + adj
Adjective
03. almost maniacal
“His focus on winning was almost maniacal, leaving no time for rest.”
adv + adj
04. positively maniacal
“Her schedule this week has been positively maniacal with deadlines.”
adv + adj
Noun
05. maniacal energy
“She attacked the dance routine with maniacal energy.”
adj + noun
06. maniacal gleam
“There was a maniacal gleam in his eyes before the race started.”
adj + noun
07. maniacal grin
“He wore a maniacal grin after landing the difficult trick.”
adj + noun
08. maniacal intensity
“He played the final set with maniacal intensity.”
adj + noun
09. maniacal laughter
“Maniacal laughter echoed through the haunted house attraction.”
adj + noun
10. burst into maniacal laughter
“The audience burst into maniacal laughter at the final joke.”
11. descend into maniacal laughter
“The scene descends into maniacal laughter as the plan fails.”
12. laugh with maniacal glee
“The children laughed with maniacal glee on the rollercoaster.”
Real-World Examples
“Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said the latest strike showed Ukraine was directing attacks on public transport "with a maniacal persistence, taking revenge on ordinary people for growing failures at the front.” “Both Osaka and Porto share a fierce, borderline maniacal, attachment to their local sports teams – the Hanshin Tigers baseball team in Osaka, the Futebol Clube do Porto in Porto.” Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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