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
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 19 Mar. 2026
The uncertainty is maddening, which somehow feels appropriate in these highly uncertain times.
—Dan Heching, CNN Money, 11 Mar. 2026
Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Jan. 2026
Which is to say, Ben Johnson repeatedly went for it on fourth down, which often failed in maddening fashion but worked just often enough.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for maddening
Adjective
One of the most maddening parts of March Madness is predicting where the upsets will happen.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 19 Mar. 2026
The uncertainty is maddening, which somehow feels appropriate in these highly uncertain times.
—Dan Heching, CNN Money, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
This resulted in an ensemble of complex, often maddening characters.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Jan. 2026
Which is to say, Ben Johnson repeatedly went for it on fourth down, which often failed in maddening fashion but worked just often enough.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for maddening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maddening
Adjective
-
Instead of posing questions about geography or world affairs, the test asked him to tackle hypothetical situations, from the frustrating to the dangerous.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Travelers said the long lines have been frustrating and are looking forward to TSA officers getting paid again.—
Eva Andersen,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Though the individual data points may have been reported already, this edition contains more detailed and disturbing information about the climate than any before.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The charges include alleged activity on social media, sending content to foreign media outlets, espionage and disturbing public order, HRANA said before adding that its count was based on official reports.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Granular, often infuriating descriptions like that one are ultimately what make Hail Mary sing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Instead of infuriating customers at drive-thrus, the company is looking to exasperate its existing employees with the tech instead.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Food allergy safety is now being treated as a pillar of hospitality, not an inconvenience or an annoying exception.—
K. H. Koehler,
Ascend Agency,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Everybody’s a critic, and critics can be very annoying.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This device is a high-tech centrifuge that simulates microgravity by spinning vials with samples around two axes, effectively confusing the cells inside as to their position in space.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
27 Mar. 2026
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During the Second World War, the Allies put a special effort into confusing the Axis powers.—
David Szondy
March 25,
New Atlas,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This causes a rift within the family, particularly angering the eldest son, Erik, who feels deeply betrayed.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
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The administration also decided to allow the up to 80,000 metric tons of low-tariff, lower-quality beef from Argentina to be imported to help keep grocery prices down, angering cattle ranchers who argue the decision will hurt domestic production and sales.—
Jennifer Jacobs,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Here's where things get a bit irritating.—
Justin Pot,
PC Magazine,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Rather than focusing on clarity with harsh actives, a key component to the glass skin trend is using gentle, non-irritating ingredients that take your skin to a healthier state.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
InStyle,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Other than that, the differences in the format were small, distracting only because of how ingrained the cadences of the original are.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Mar. 2026
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During the costly possession when the Rebels let the shot clock expire with 41 seconds left, Thienou surprised her coach by passing up a shot while the crowd was roaring and clearly distracting the visitors.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Maddening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maddening. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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