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
Robert F. Moss
b
: behavior or thinking that is very foolish or dangerous : extreme folly
an idea that is pure/sheer madness
c
d
: intense anger : rage
2
: any of several ailments of animals marked by frenzied behavior
specifically
: rabies
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
But the overall stretch, with steep ascents, descents, and prominent 18-wheel truck madness, extends 40 miles from just north of Castaic in Los Angeles County to the bottom of the grade where the I-5 enters the San Joaquin Valley in Kern County.
—James Raia, Mercury News, 30 Nov. 2025
There must be, after all, a little bit of sense sprinkled onto this pile of madness.
—Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 21 Nov. 2025
While many a Thanksgiving preparation has already begun across Middle Tennessee, some residents might be thinking about taking a break from the holiday kitchen madness in favor of a nice pick-up or sit-down meal.
—Gabrielle Chenault, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Nov. 2025
Air Riders is unencumbered by that, able to break racing game conventions and throw all sorts of madness at the screen.
—Ryan Gaur, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for madness
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James Raia, Mercury News, 30 Nov. 2025
There must be, after all, a little bit of sense sprinkled onto this pile of madness.
—Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 21 Nov. 2025
While many a Thanksgiving preparation has already begun across Middle Tennessee, some residents might be thinking about taking a break from the holiday kitchen madness in favor of a nice pick-up or sit-down meal.
—Gabrielle Chenault, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Nov. 2025
Air Riders is unencumbered by that, able to break racing game conventions and throw all sorts of madness at the screen.
—Ryan Gaur, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for madness
Cite this Entry
“Madness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/madness. Accessed 3 Dec. 2025.
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