lunacy
9 synonyms and 4 antonyms for lunacy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Madness or insanity, especially of a kind once believed to come and go with the phases of the moon.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use lunacy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
sheer lunacy
an act of lunacy
Etymology
From lunatic + the noun-forming suffix -cy; ultimately from Latin luna ("moon"), reflecting the old belief that madness waxed and waned with the moon.
Full origin of lunacy →Frequently asked questions
What does “lunacy” mean?
The word “lunacy” means madness or insanity, especially of a kind once believed to come and go with the phases of the moon. In plain terms, madness — either literal insanity or, more commonly today, just a wildly reckless or foolish idea.
How do you pronounce “lunacy”?
“Lunacy” is pronounced LOO-nuh-see (/ˈluː.nə.si/ in IPA).
How do you use “lunacy” in a sentence?
Here is “lunacy” used in a sentence: “His wild rants were dismissed as lunacy by everyone who knew him.”
What is another word for “lunacy”?
Words with a similar meaning to “lunacy” include insanity, madness, craziness and craze.
What part of speech is “lunacy”?
“Lunacy” is a noun.
Where does the word “lunacy” come from?
The word “lunacy” comes from Latin. From lunatic + the noun-forming suffix -cy; ultimately from Latin luna ("moon"), reflecting the old belief that madness waxed and waned with the moon.
How many meanings does “lunacy” have?
“Lunacy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: madness or insanity, especially of a kind once believed to come and go with the phases of the moon.
