go haywire

VERB

deviate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

depart differ diverge vary veer

STRONG

aberrate avert bend contrast deflect digress divagate drift err part shy swerve turn wander

WEAK

angle off bear off bend the rules break pattern circumlocate depart from edge off get around go amiss go off on tangent go out of control go out of way leave beaten path not conform swim against stream take a turn turn aside

Antonyms

STRONGEST

agree stay

STRONG

straighten

WEAK

go straight keep

VERB

flip out

Synonyms

WEAK

blow a gasket blow one's mind blow one's stack blow one's top crack up fly off the handle freak out go ape go ballistic go berserk go crazy go nuts go off the deep end hit the ceiling lose control of oneself lose it lose one's composure lose one's mind lose one's temper wig out

VERB

freak out

Synonyms

STRONGEST

go crazy lose it

WEAK

blow a gasket blow one's mind blow one's stack blow one's top break down come unglued crack up flip one's lid flip out fly off the handle go ape go ballistic go bananas go berserk go nuts go off the deep end hit the ceiling lose control of oneself lose one's composure lose one's cool lose one's mind lose one's temper wig out work oneself up

VERB

go crazy

Synonyms

STRONGEST

freak out go off lose it

WEAK

blow a gasket blow one's mind blow one's stack blow one's top crack up flip one's lid flip out fly off the handle go ballistic go bananas go batty go berserk go bonkers go buggy go cuckoo go daffy go kooky go loco go loony go mental go nuts go nutty go off one's rocker go off the deep end go off the wall go psycho go wacko go wacky lose control of oneself lose one's cool lose one's mind wig out

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It sounds like things can go haywire fast.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

It makes it much easier for some immune cells to go haywire and drive excessive inflammation in the bowels.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2024

So there's every reason to believe this trial could go haywire.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2024

It's during this crucial period of cell division that things can go haywire.

From Science Daily • Mar. 28, 2024

Their powers tended to make electronic gadgets go haywire.

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan