1
as in to bother
to cause to go insane or as if insane
the endless swarms of mosquitoes all but maddened the explorers
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to infuriate
to make angry
her perpetual tardiness maddened her friends to no end
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of madden
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
Most people have experienced the maddening grind of trying to fix a billing mistake, appeal an insurance decision or schedule a medical appointment, only to be pulled into a maze of forms, portals and hold music.
—Nitin Ware, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
The core concept is no doubt still maddening to plenty of Christians who would like Santa left alone.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for madden
Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
The chase of greatness can be maddening.
—Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
Most people have experienced the maddening grind of trying to fix a billing mistake, appeal an insurance decision or schedule a medical appointment, only to be pulled into a maze of forms, portals and hold music.
—Nitin Ware, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
The core concept is no doubt still maddening to plenty of Christians who would like Santa left alone.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for madden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for madden
Verb
-
The man himself might have argued forcefully that the one didn’t prove the other, that many Muslims in his hometown never bothered to circumcise their children.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Feb. 2026
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But only part of that really bothered the Florida Department of Health about Sidney Moritz, once known as Sandy Montano.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Raman’s entry into the race, hours before the filing deadline, shocked the city’s political elite and infuriated the mayor’s supporters.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
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The dampening atmospherics and massive right field infuriated sluggers such as Barry Bonds, Jeff Bagwell and Albert Pujols.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Her lawyers argued that the media frenzy over the case, the prosecution’s use of a transcript for a grainy audio tape, and other factors all played into making the trial unconstitutional.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
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But the media frenzy around Swift’s relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has put even more attention on the stars on the sidelines.—
Zoe Guy,
Vulture,
24 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But every time Trump takes to social media, angered by drug trafficking – or drone incursions, Sheinbaum Pardo has deftly reminded him of their working partnership, Jacobson said.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
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In one of those realities (the actual one most of us are living in), a growing number of people across the political spectrum are angered, terrified and disgusted by actions being taken in their names by people and agencies which seem to have little or no accountability.—
Brenda Looper,
Arkansas Online,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Mist the soil instead of overhead watering, which can disturb the seeds.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
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Managing the genetic health of such a small population is essential for the species’ long-term viability, and the hair-collection method offers a noninvasive way to gather vital data without disturbing the wombats in their burrows.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Coupled with large reductions to downtown trophy buildings and ever-increasing tax levies from local governments, bills that landed late last year enraged many homeowners.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
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Most are evasive, a few are obsequious, many are defiant, a few are enraged, and all appear to feel their lives slipping away under the seemingly boundless force of judicial inquisition.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The citizens of Texas are confusing hospitality for complacency.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
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To give my permission to be sad, to be angry, to be confused.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Rosebush Pruning, by contrast, feels designed to annoy us and push us away.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
15 Feb. 2026
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In this short 4-minute video from CoComelon, baby JJ does a number of things that may hurt or annoy someone near him, including sitting on his sister’s painting and slurping loudly on his juice.—
Marilyn La Jeunesse,
Parents,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Madden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/madden. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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