as in frustrating
causing annoyance
after a few days, she found the monotonous work to be absolutely maddening
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in disturbing
to cause to go insane or as if insane
the endless swarms of mosquitoes all but maddened the explorers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in infuriating
to make angry
her perpetual tardiness maddened her friends to no end
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of maddening
Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 27 Jan. 2026
The last week alone has shown how electrifying and maddening LaMelo can be.
—Sam Amick, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for maddening
Adjective
This is what makes this entire Minnesota adventure so maddening.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 27 Jan. 2026
The last week alone has shown how electrifying and maddening LaMelo can be.
—Sam Amick, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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
See All Example Sentences for maddening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maddening
Adjective
-
Francisco Lindor was expected to be the captain of the team, but in a frustrating turn of events for the Puerto Rican team, he was denied the insurance needed to participate.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
8 Feb. 2026
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First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Rescue Barrier Balm When Associate Editor Katie Akin began dealing with frustrating dry patches this winter, First Aid Beauty's Ultra Repair Rescue Barrier Balm truly came to the rescue.—
Melanie Fincher,
Southern Living,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The documents, which are unclassified FBI and Department of Homeland Security intelligence reports, provide disturbing new insights into the growing problem – and also illustrate law enforcement’s struggle to crack down on the decentralized movement.—
Curt Devine,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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With their special technology, the cameras can take high-quality videos of animals at night without disturbing them.—
Charles Seabrook,
AJC.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Seeing Sparkle cry about Landfair’s experience — something that Landfair hadn’t fully come to terms with — was discombobulating and infuriating.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
31 Jan. 2026
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With the $5 million secured by Felix (and a promise that the winnings can still be returned to the Treasury), Bond reenters the tournament and wins the final round, infuriating Le Chiffre.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
So now James is out here knowing that Siegfried was right, which is annoying.—
Alice Burton,
Vulture,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The Kelce/Swifty thing got très annoying but Mahomes was a married guy with a few kids.—
Linda Perillo,
New York Daily News,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Germany's exact medal count is a point of contention because Germany has not always competed in each Olympics as a unified country, which can lead to confusing medal counts.—
Aliza Chasan,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
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For many, tax season can be a confusing and stressful time with lingering deadlines and confusing tax forms.—
Paige Moore,
AZCentral.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But when the new terminal opened, the historic plane did not make the move, angering aviation enthusiasts.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
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What’s more, all that accomplishes is annoying and angering the driver who is being tailgated.—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Rubbing alcohol isn’t corrosive to metals, doesn’t stain clothes, and doesn’t cause the same irritating fumes as working with bleach does.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The hypoallergenic face serum is free from potentially irritating ingredients, such as parabens and synthetic fragrances, too.—
Lauren Taylor,
Southern Living,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
To match the child actor who plays young Neil, Levitt wears blue contacts over his naturally brown eyes, which aren’t nearly as distracting in this pass.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
10 Feb. 2026
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Next, a Route 66 sign appears briefly along the periphery, surrounded by additional distracting road signs.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Maddening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maddening. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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