maddening 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmad-niŋ How to pronounce maddening (audio)
Definition of maddeningnext
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

maddening

2 of 2

verb

present participle of madden
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

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
Sugar’s purpose in this earthly life — to reunite lost families in the City of Angels — is crumbling under the maddening impossibility of convicting a policeman of a crime in a world where the crime is the point. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 24 July 2026 Based on a video game, the sci-fi thriller is excellently maddening and surprisingly emotional. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 24 July 2026
Verb
This could be maddening for a producer. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026 The way the Padres screw around this time of year is maddening. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for maddening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maddening
  1. frustrating
  2. disturbing
  3. infuriating
  4. annoying
  5. confusing
  6. angering
  7. irritating
  8. distracting
Adjective
  • What’s frustrating is the capacity to end voter registration already exists.
    — Ellen Kurz, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Though Gakpo was a frustrating watch at times throughout last season at Liverpool, his nose for a goalscoring opportunity cannot be denied.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of frustrating
Verb
  • The couple have long warned of the dangers of social media and the evolution of disturbing AI tools, zoning in on the negative impact the platforms can have on mental health.
    — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Each seat is 19 inches wide with 39 inches of pitch with thoughtful features like a hard shell for easy reclining without disturbing surrounding fliers and privacy dividers attached to the headrest.
    — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 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
  • Edward Hoke is an ingratiating, appropriately annoying and attractive Blaze.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Cloobeck, 64, was arrested in May and charged with three counts of attempting to dissuade a witness from testifying and one count of harassment for making annoying phone calls, according to a criminal complaint.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of annoying
Verb
  • But there is the risk that his strategy will backfire by confusing investors.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Jobs are down, but consumer sentiment—and the stock market—are up, leaving the retail sector to reckon with a host of seeming contradictions and confusing market signals.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of confusing
Verb
  • And the thousandth cut came when Raman launched her mayoral campaign without first consulting the local DSA chapter, angering organizers who felt the race stretched their resources too thin.
    — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 29 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of angering
Adjective
  • Like nails on a chalkboard, whining—an irritating blend of talking and crying—has the ability to make almost any parent either lose their temper or cave.
    — Debby Waldman, Parents, 3 Aug. 2026
  • In fact, this is where our motivations become personal and perhaps even slightly irritating, especially if repressed emotions or sensitivities rise to the surface.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of irritating
Verb
  • Going back and forth from one home to the other home each week can be upsetting or distracting, causing distress.
    — Patricia Fersch, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The Strip provided distracting saturations of red-white-and-blue.
    — Paige Williams, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of distracting

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Cite this Entry

“Maddening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maddening. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of maddening for Spanish Speakers

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