maddening 1 of 2

maddening

2 of 2

verb

present participle of madden

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of maddening
Adjective
At this point, Rainbeau has voiced her frustrations to both Fraser and Solène a maddening number of times. Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2025 Fower-Nicolosi is reliably maddening, at least. Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
The decision to scale back on payments for certain plans and procedures is maddening to many physicians, as one of the last consistent sources of reimbursement is in their minds becoming more challenging for their patients to access. Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025 Kalshi’s rise has been maddening to the sportsbooks who jumped through all the regulatory hoops to gain legal approval, as well as the states that are counting on revenue from those sportsbooks. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for maddening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maddening
Adjective
  • Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had another frustrating game with three interceptions in the one-score loss.
    Tim Crowley, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Sure, Riley’s first three seasons with the Trojans have been largely underwhelming — and a last-second loss to Illinois was the sort of defeat that’s become all too familiar and all too frustrating for the fan base — but USC’s coach is far too expensive to fire.
    Antonio Morales, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This ensures smooth energy transfer without disturbing the lake’s ecosystem.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2025
  • His landscapes are muddy and void, prone to sudden invasion by disturbing strangers, including the giant whale carcass that arrives on a train at the beginning of his 1989 novel, The Melancholy of Resistance.
    Walt Hunter, The Atlantic, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The journey, first to Paris and then through Switzerland and Milan and onwards to Venice, was for the most part pleasant, being blessedly free of many of the wearisome and often infuriating hindrances and misdirections that rail travel usually entails.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Don’t be surprised if this is a hot-hand situation, though, and rather infuriating.
    Jake Ciely, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Glass water repellent acts as a protective barrier that causes rain droplets or water to roll away instead of drying and sticking to your glass (then causing those annoying spots).
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025
  • They were not allowed to stay in private homes — annoying for sometime Paris resident Serena Williams — but could eat out at Paris restaurants.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This brings the total to more than $2 million raised to influence the outcome of Referendum 310, funding a wave of misleading ads aimed at confusing voters.
    DP Opinion, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
  • The British and American versions also have different plot points, further confusing the matter, but the score has endured and developed a cult-following.
    Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Following physical and emotional abuse, Lafferty became an anxious child who was constantly afraid of angering adults around her.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • The new program, Train SMART, also risks angering a network of grassroots chapters and gun violence prevention volunteers at Everytown.
    Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Mosquitoes may be tiny, but their bites can pack an irritating punch.
    Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Critics note the time and effort needed to remove stubborn labels—after all, few things are more irritating than peeling off a label and being met with sticky residue.
    Caelan McMichael, Allure, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Sets are decorated with vintage posters and props, enough to give texture without distracting.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 8 Oct. 2025
  • The whole idea is to choose something that isn't too distracting.
    Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Maddening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maddening. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on maddening

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!