“Maniac” vs. “Maniacal”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “maniac” and “maniacal”

  • "Maniac" refers to a person exhibiting extreme behavior, while "maniacal" describes the behavior itself, emphasizing its intense and frenzied nature.
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What is the definition of “maniac” and “maniacal”?

Maniac
  • "Maniac" is a noun that refers to a person who exhibits extreme or erratic behavior, often characterized by wild enthusiasm, obsession, or violent tendencies.
  • It typically describes someone who is mentally unstable, overly enthusiastic, or prone to unpredictable or violent actions.
Maniacal
  • "Maniacal" is an adjective that describes behavior or actions that are characterized by extreme madness, frenzy, or irrationality.
  • It suggests a state of intense excitement, obsession, or uncontrollable energy, often associated with a temporary or transient state of mind.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Maniac” is the more popular variant on the web.
More popular
Maniac
38,300,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. The maniac on the loose has the whole town in a state of fear.
  2. She's such a maniac when it comes to cleaning; her house is spotless.
  3. He became a maniac on the dance floor, completely letting loose and dancing like crazy.
Maniacal
6,720,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. The maniacal laugh coming from the haunted house sent shivers down their spines.
  2. The maniacal rage he displayed during the argument was truly frightening.
  3. I couldn't believe the maniacal devotion he had to his conspiracy theories, refusing to listen to reason.
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