MADDENING Synonyms: 125 Similar and Opposite Words

maddening 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmad-niŋ

Definition of maddening

as in frustrating

causing annoyance after a few days, she found the monotonous work to be absolutely maddening

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

maddening

2 of 2

verb

present participle of madden

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

as in infuriating

to make angry her perpetual tardiness maddened her friends to no end

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

The Cubs are stuck in a maddening loop of offensive futility. — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2026 One of Miami’s most maddening crossroads has become easier to navigate. — Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026

Verb

The way the Padres screw around this time of year is maddening. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2026 The realization that there is a punishment for women who align themselves with men, as well as for those who don’t, is rightfully maddening. — Literary Hub, 20 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for maddening

Recent Examples of Synonyms for maddening

Adjective

But this approach just keeps you stuck on a frustrating conflict merry-go-round.

— Sabrina Romanoff, CNBC, 30 July 2026
After another frustrating series loss, pressure continues to mount on the front office to find upgrades capable of jump-starting a lineup with postseason aspirations.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of frustrating

Verb

Harper’s left behind records detailing disturbing behavior that seem not to have been based in fact.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 30 July 2026
Out of competition The world of elite sports is taken to disturbing new heights full of brutality and painful ambition in the new film from Nikias Chryssos (The Bunker, Rave On, A Pure Place).

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 29 July 2026

Definition of disturbing

Verb

Speaking to them on the phone is infuriating since most of the conversation is about what’s going on with Kaden.

— Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 17 July 2026
The result can be a more consistent connection, fewer interruptions and less of that infuriating mid-episode quality drop.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of infuriating

Adjective

Of course, the list of invertebrates include mosquitoes, gnats, yellow flies, ticks and other biting pests, which are most annoying June through August but can be nuisances at other times of the year.

— Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 25 July 2026
That gets into the very annoying realization that some infinities are bigger than other infinities, which is mathematically true and conceptually uncomfortable.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 24 July 2026

Definition of annoying

Verb

Experts argue that while autism doesn't excuse criminal acts, failing to understand its impact risks confusing impaired social reasoning with criminal intent, leading to unjust outcomes.

— Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
How Patients Can Choose More Carefully Istanbul has a lot of options, which can feel both useful and also confusing at the same time.

— Nia Bowers, USA Today, 22 July 2026

Definition of confusing

Verb

Leaders of the Maine Democratic Party are still working toward a process to replace Graham Platner, without angering his supporters.

— Dan Merica, Washington Post, 9 July 2026
The mayor floated the idea to place Williams on probation for six months, angering the city manager’s supporters in the crowd.

— Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026

Definition of angering

Adjective

December 22 – January 19 A small adjustment could make your whole day less irritating.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2026
The irritating and inflammatory nature of the smog caused hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers to become short of breath or to develop symptoms from underlying heart disease.

— Rebecca Florsheim, STAT, 17 July 2026

Definition of irritating

Verb

Freeland resembles Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, drawing back the curtain that hides the smoke machine when the Wizard of Oz is not a wizard at all, but a carnival illusionist distracting the population.

— Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 22 July 2026
Depicting that dress faithfully would likely be distracting to a modern audience and leave the film unmarketable.

— Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of distracting

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“Maddening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maddening. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of maddening

adjective

verb

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