as in frustrating
causing annoyance
after a few days, she found the monotonous work to be absolutely maddening
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in disturbing
to cause to go insane or as if insane
the endless swarms of mosquitoes all but maddened the explorers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in infuriating
to make angry
her perpetual tardiness maddened her friends to no end
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of maddening
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
That’s why some of their aimless enthusiasm around generative AI can feel so paradoxical and maddening.
—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
31 May 2026
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
What makes this case maddening is that every system seemed to work halfway.
—
Christopher Elliott,
Mercury News,
8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for maddening
Adjective
Belc is a thoroughly charming narrator of everything from finding meaning in the work of Deb Perelman and Ina Garten to parenting as a trans man to the maddening and joyful mundanity of running a household.
—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
That’s why some of their aimless enthusiasm around generative AI can feel so paradoxical and maddening.
—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
31 May 2026
Verb
The rest of the production had been much harder—particularly because, to his frustration, he’d been forced to film primarily in Atlanta rather than in Oakland, after a year of maddening delays led to the production losing its California tax rebate.
—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
What makes this case maddening is that every system seemed to work halfway.
—
Christopher Elliott,
Mercury News,
8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for maddening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maddening
Adjective
-
Two months after another frustrating playoff finish, the 76ers now look ahead with a reasonable expectation to be among the conference favorites next season.
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Residents said the latest delay is especially frustrating because the pool also remained closed for much of last summer after a water line ruptured while it was being filled.
Verb
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The appeal is largely practical, since powders travel well in a bag, don’t leave hands greasy and can be dusted on without disturbing whatever’s already on your skin.
-
The cream bronzer blends effortlessly underneath without disturbing the layers.
Verb
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Adding secondary maturations into the bourbon lineup is likely going to divide longtime Four Roses fans, delighting some and infuriating others.
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In Chicago, these questions are interesting and infuriating because the Bulls have no say in the outcome.
Adjective
-
Scam texts are annoying for everyone.
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Others have blamed everything from feminism and long work commutes to annoying kiddy car seats.
Verb
-
Why People Misunderstand This Intelligence The first mistake people make is confusing integrative intelligence with being broadly knowledgeable.
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Having said that, conversations might be confusing today.
Verb
-
Israel for years avoided officially recognizing the violence as genocide out fear of angering Turkey, but that relationship has soured over the past two decades, especially as the most recent wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran have dragged on.
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For years, Israel never officially broached the subject for fear of angering Turkey, but that relationship has soured over the past two decades, especially as the most recent wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran have dragged on.
Adjective
-
Few workplace behaviors are as small, common and irritating as the message that goes unanswered.
-
Greenberg tried his best to ignore an irritating ankle injury that had plagued him the last couple of weeks and grimaced under the hazy sunlight as the pitcher, probably 20 or more years his junior, stared him down.
Verb
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However, there was a distracting graphical issue where characters and objects would get weird glowy or black artifacts around the edges in close-up shots during battles and cutscenes.
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People attending the trial would also be prohibited from reacting, gesturing, wearing distracting clothing, or otherwise disrupting proceedings.
Cite this Entry
“Maddening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maddening. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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