INSANE Synonyms: 297 Similar and Opposite Words

insane

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈsān

Definition of insane

as in mad

unable to think in a clear or sensible way After learning of the robbery, they were insane with anger and foolishly searched the neighborhood looking for their belongings.

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in absurd

conceived or made without regard for reason or reality a completely insane plan to build an opera house in the middle of nowhere

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in stupid

showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment an insane plan to blow all of their savings on lottery tickets

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in excessive

going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount wanted an insane amount of money to paint our house

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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 insane Evidently, the Manhunter released gas that drove Antaan’s people insane, forcing many of them to jump to their deaths. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 27 Sep. 2026 Greg and Geoff and James have crafted such a wild script that brings the mystery of the original while exploring new insane bloody ideas that meld so well with the brutal moral compass of the franchise. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2026 Prosecutor Sarah George, the Chittenden County state’s attorney, argued that Eaton was not legally insane and understood that his actions were criminal. — Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2026 It’s being sold all over the world; it’s being taught in colleges, which is insane to me. — Alex Gonzalez, VIBE.com, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for insane

Recent Examples of Synonyms for insane

Adjective

When Blue Cross Blue Shield recently published research suggesting that hospitals use artificial intelligence tools to extract more money from insurers without providing additional care, people were mad.

— Leah Pierson, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026
Carmella is also still mad at Vicki for saying that Danny is raising her kids, and Heather is angry after learning that Vicki called her fake in Palm Springs.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of mad

Adjective

Alongside Kardashian, Watts, Nash-Betts and Paulson, the series stars Teyana Taylor, Matthew Noszka and Glenn Close, who all one-up each other with deliriously absurd lines of dialogue.

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026
The title comes from a phrase that became part of his creative vocabulary and began appearing in sketches whenever an absurd situation called for a perfectly incredulous response.

— Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of absurd

Adjective

Trump’s super intelligence rebrand can ultimately be read in a couple ways, though arguably neither are particularly nuanced or incisive — just further indicative of the daily deluge of stupid.

— Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026
Once upon a time, the idea that the world was growing stupider was mostly confined to the realm of dyspeptic reactionary polemic.

— James Marriott, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of stupid

Adjective

The statement, which named neither Hur nor anyone else, accepted that every film attracts harsh reviews along with praise, and asked who could draw an exact line between fair and excessive criticism.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
His decision to have Sale close out Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series and throw 21 pitches was cast as excessive.

— Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of excessive

Adjective

Rihanna’s here, maniacal crowds are lining up outside shows to screech and wave at their favorite stars and days of runway events big and small lie ahead.

— Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026
These machines—the maniacal Maverick R, with its praying mantis-like front suspension, and the hard-working Pioneer—have little else in common.

— Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of maniacal

Adjective

But, pounded thin, breaded, and fried, served under lashings of sweet-sharp blackberry sauce, with a confetti of whole blackberries and leaves of mint, the lamb version was brilliant and bizarre, a symphony of strong-willed flavors.

— Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
There was such a bizarre synergy between that film and being the same namesake as this doll.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of bizarre

Adjective

Without intervention, those numbers will only grow as extreme events worsen.

— Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
Kenya's National Transport and Safety Authority called upon all motorists to exercise extreme caution, avoid dangerous overtaking and strictly observe lane discipline.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of extreme

Browse Nearby Words

ins and outs

insane

insanely

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“Insane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insane. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of insane

adjective

Example Sentences

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