maddening

adjective

mad·​den·​ing ˈmad-niŋ How to pronounce maddening (audio)
ˈma-dᵊn-iŋ
1
: tending to craze
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 visual not only is maddening for anyone trying to work, but also presents a unique problem with few cleaning solutions. Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 July 2025 Andres’ male odd couple are frequently maddening in their poor decisions, which always manage to make awkward situations worse. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 27 June 2025 Writing for The Boys is challenging, sometimes maddening, but also therapeutic. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 12 June 2025 For first-time and middle-income buyers, though, the market can be maddening. Laurel Wamsley, NPR, 26 July 2025 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 22 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

maddening

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

More from Merriam-Webster on maddening

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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