madness

noun

mad·​ness ˈmad-nəs 

1

: the quality or state of being mad: such as

a

: a state of severe mental illness

—not used technically

… fortifications against an inner darkness, the threat of madness that crouched above him throughout his life.

—Robert F. Moss

b

: behavior or thinking that is very foolish or dangerous : extreme folly

an idea that is pure/sheer madness

c

: ecstasy, enthusiasm

d

: intense anger : rage

2

: any of several ailments of animals marked by frenzied behavior

specifically : rabies

Synonyms of madness

• insanity
• dementia
• hysteria
• schizophrenia

Examples of madness in a Sentence

He suffered a series of tragedies that nearly drove him to madness.

Her friends told her the idea was pure madness, but she went through with it anyway.

It was the height of madness for him to drive at such high speeds!

Recent Examples on the Web

Keitel’s Feraud keeps provoking the feud; Carradine’s D’Hubert recognizes its madness but remains too bound by the same code of honor to walk away. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Third, the powder and paint was relentless to the point of ecstatic madness—exactly as Jouvert is meant to be. — Baz Dreisinger, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

During the madness, Steven Bodner and another man, both 23, were stabbed on Nagle Ave. — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026

The burnout duo, who live in an LA apartment dubbed Casa de Chill Zone, put Cheech and Chong to shame with their reefer madness. — Katie Walsh, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing madness

• (a) method in/to one's madness

Rhymes for madness

• badness
• gladness
• sadness

Medical Definition

madness

noun

mad·​ness ˈmad-nəs 

1

: a severely disordered state of mind

—not used technically

2

: any of several ailments of animals marked by frenzied behavior

specifically : rabies