as in foolish
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment
such lunatic clowning during a solemn ceremony is completely inappropriate
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in fool
a person who lacks good sense or judgment
No, you can't ski off the roof, you lunatic!
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lunatic
Daniel Kolitz, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
The plot was inspired by a Japanese news report that had deeply disturbed Woo, about a lunatic guilty of poisoning baby formula.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 19 Oct. 2025
Joey Garrison, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
That Tomás, who has already survived the Great Hunger as well as a cruel workhouse, isn’t already a lunatic is perhaps less fantastical than the plot itself at times.
—Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lunatic
Adjective
Like those lunatic trolls who emerge now and then to threaten the children of right-wing media targets, the gooners are just having fun, playing around, saying the things one says to get ahead in their particular community.
—Daniel Kolitz, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
The plot was inspired by a Japanese news report that had deeply disturbed Woo, about a lunatic guilty of poisoning baby formula.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
Beating these lunatics was incredible, right?
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
That Tomás, who has already survived the Great Hunger as well as a cruel workhouse, isn’t already a lunatic is perhaps less fantastical than the plot itself at times.
—Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lunatic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lunatic
Adjective
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If Florida is worried about China’s rise, dismantling educational and cultural exchanges is a foolish response.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
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But the Stars should be trying to goad the Wild into foolish penalties.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Post-draft outlook Don’t let the draft-weekend optimism fool you — the Cardinals have a long road ahead.—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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There is an old saying that people who represent themselves in court effectively have a fool for a lawyer.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Nothing gets Trump angrier than when one of his underlings is caught doing something stupid on videotape.—
Robert B. Reich,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
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But to those going to an upcoming show, for the love of God please shut up when Raye is sharing this story; a quiet room isn’t a license to yell stupid nonsense.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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This is the same show that features Mad Dog Russo screaming like a maniac into the camera every week, right?—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
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This maniac should be removed from office.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In the annals of English football, this shoots close to the top of the list of ridiculous moments, along with Troy Deeney’s mad goal for Watford in the Championship play-offs in 2013 and Sergio Aguero’s Premier League title-winning strike for Manchester City in 2012.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Here's our list of the five best space prison movies (in no particular order, don't get mad at the numbers).—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Not bad for a silly movie about killer worms from outer space.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
1 May 2026
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The idea seemed silly at first — who would be interested in a bean box subscription?—
Angela Osorio,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Noun
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Organic cotton and goose down in three firm varieties mean there’s a suitable fill for stomach, back, and side sleepers alike.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
26 Apr. 2026
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The National Park Service has carried out some renovations since then, and the pool is also periodically drained to scrub out algae, garbage, goose droppings and other detritus.—
Joe Walsh,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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What are the Flyers without the crazy-eyed mascot that is always getting up to some shenanigans — like tossing a plush version of his opponents' mascot down the stadium stairs mid-game.—
Kaitlyn McCormick,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
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The unhinged left is still in its bubble and as crazy as ever while there are Maher types who now see how this ultimately will turn out at the polls.—
Joe Kinsey OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lunatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lunatic. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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