madden

verb

mad·​den ˈma-dᵊn How to pronounce madden (audio)
maddened; maddening ˈmad-niŋ How to pronounce madden (audio)
ˈma-dᵊn-iŋ
Synonyms of maddennext

intransitive verb

: to become or act as if mad

transitive verb

1
: to disturb or drive mad
2
: to make intensely angry : enrage

Examples of madden in a Sentence

the endless swarms of mosquitoes all but maddened the explorers her perpetual tardiness maddened her friends to no end
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.
Which is to say, Ben Johnson repeatedly went for it on fourth down, which often failed in maddening fashion but worked just often enough. Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026 Instead, inconsistency, maddening inconsistency at times, the type of inconsistency that has produced losses to East-worst Indiana and West-worst Sacramento. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 Jan. 2026 His biggest gripe was the Blue Jackets’ maddening habit of blowing third-period leads. Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026 The chase of greatness can be maddening. Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for madden

Word History

First Known Use

1704, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of madden was in 1704

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Madden.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/madden. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

madden

verb
mad·​den ˈmad-ᵊn How to pronounce madden (audio)
: to make mad : enrage

More from Merriam-Webster on madden

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