maddening

adjective

mad·​den·​ing ˈmad-niŋ How to pronounce maddening (audio)
ˈma-dᵊn-iŋ
Synonyms of maddeningnext
1
: tending to disturb or drive mad
2
a
: tending to infuriate
b
: tending to vex : irritating
maddeningly
ˈmad-niŋ-lē How to pronounce maddening (audio)
ˈma-dᵊn-iŋ-
adverb

Examples of maddening in a Sentence

He has a maddening habit of interrupting other people. She shows a maddening inability to control her children.
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.
The maddening answer is that no one really knows. Phil Plait, Scientific American, 29 May 2026 That conflict sits at the heart of one of climate's most maddening paradoxes. Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026 For players, the most maddening moment came early in the third when Guerin was called for high-sticking, giving New York a prime man-advantage opportunity to tie the score. Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 21 May 2026 This is a sad story, an enraging one, a maddening one. Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 20 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for maddening

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1743, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of maddening was circa 1743

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Cite this Entry

“Maddening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maddening. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

maddening

adjective
mad·​den·​ing
ˈmad-niŋ
-ᵊn-iŋ
: that irritates or angers
a maddening habit
maddeningly adverb

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