LUNATIC Synonyms: 218 Similar and Opposite Words

lunatic 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of lunatic

informal

as in foolish

showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment such lunatic clowning during a solemn ceremony is completely inappropriate

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lunatic

2 of 2

noun

informal

as in fool

a person who lacks good sense or judgment No, you can't ski off the roof, you lunatic!

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 lunatic

Adjective

Police found Mazariegos, who fit the description of the lunatic hiding in the bushes, nearby, according to the probable cause affidavit. — Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026 Richard Attenborough once mischievously locked his brother inside a padded cell in a building on campus that was once a Victorian lunatic asylum, according to the university. — Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 8 May 2026

Noun

As a Spurs fan, I was particularly invested in Campbell in an England shirt and recall charging around the living room like a lunatic before the reality that it had been chalked off hit home. — The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 18 June 2026 The lunatics are running the asylum. — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for lunatic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lunatic

Adjective

First and foremost, as a homeowner myself the property taxes are insane and continue to go up.

— Stephen Korka, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026
That may be the name of her next album, but Venus’ insane popularity also speaks to the way Metropia is moving forward, constantly looking for the next shiny thing.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of insane

Noun

Don’t let the building’s modern facade fool you, the rooms are minimalist yet warm with wood flooring, floral wallpaper, and hand-knotted rugs.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
In these labors, Carson is akin to two other recent laureates, Jon Fosse and László Krasznahorkai, our foremost writers of holy fools.

— Merve Emre, New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of fool

Noun

David extended a hand toward me (imaginary attacks by slow, handshake-wielding maniacs are a martial arts class staple).

— Johanna Stein, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Unbeknownst to the visitors, there’s an unhappy fifth party already in the house… and more than one homicidal maniac even within that small populace.

— Dennis Harvey, Variety, 28 July 2026

Definition of maniac

Noun

Its winding path — and its goose motif — serve as the inspiration for Fortunae, Ginori 1735’s latest collection of collectible porcelain and home decor.

— Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
In terms of the fake-out, yeah, just a tiny little goose for the last moment.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of goose

Adjective

Richard Dawkins, the British evolutionary theorist and author of the groundbreaking best seller The Selfish Gene (1976), among many other books, appears to have gone a bit mad.

— James Gleick, The New York Review of Books, 17 Oct. 2026
Mel Brooks’ comedy The Producers also took a poke at that mad man with Springtime for Hitler.

— Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of mad

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lunacy

lunatic

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“Lunatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lunatic. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of lunatic

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

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