manic

adjective

man·​ic ˈma-nik How to pronounce manic (audio)
: affected with, relating to, characterized by, or resulting from mania
had a manic personality
his manic work pace
manic noun
manically
ˈma-ni-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce manic (audio)
adverb

Examples of manic in a Sentence

a manic sense of humor
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The distant thunder was still faint, but its deep rumble drowned out the manic noise next door, like a great invisible hand reaching out beyond the clouds to crush the multifarious towns below. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026 The manic swings for AI stocks have been most dramatic in South Korea, where the Kospi index is dominated by just two tech titans, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026 But in terms of Marvel movies, even compared with other Spider-Man movies, the film directed by Destin Daniel Cretton has a refreshingly non-manic pace, and many scenes which feel like Actual Drama. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 3 Aug. 2026 Despite his manic efforts to smash and spray them out of existence, the ever-multiplying cockroaches eventually overwhelm him. — Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for manic

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Greek manikós "mad, crazy," from manía "madness, frenzy, mania" + -ikos -ic entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1824, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of manic was circa 1824

Phrases Containing manic

Rhymes for manic

See All Rhymes for manic

Browse Nearby Words

maniacal
manic
manic depression
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Manic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/manic. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Medical Definition

manic

1 of 2 adjective
man·​ic ˈman-ik How to pronounce manic (audio)
: affected with, relating to, or resembling mania
manically
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce manic (audio)
adverb

manic

2 of 2 noun
: an individual affected with mania

More from Merriam-Webster on manic

Nglish: Translation of manic for Spanish Speakers

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