MADNESS Synonyms: 188 Similar and Opposite Words

madness

noun

ˈmad-nəs

Definition of madness

as in insanity

a serious mental disorder that prevents one from living a safe and normal life nowadays certain forms of madness are quite treatable

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in simplicity

lack of good sense or judgment to do something so reckless would be sheer madness

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in anger

an intense emotional state of displeasure with someone or something her incessant insults goaded him to such madness that he would storm around breaking dishes and slamming doors

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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 madness Some went as far as likening the outage to life in prehistoric times or descending into madness. — Angela Yang, NBC news, 2 Nov. 2026 Republican states, beginning with Texas, started this madness, and other states, both Democrat and Republican, followed like sheep. — Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 1 Nov. 2026 Researchers propose theories and typologies of madness and offer advice for health-care professionals. — Sam Kestenbaum, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026 Below, shop cozy layering pieces, comfy walking shoes, and travel bags worth adding to your cart before the holiday madness officially kicks off. — Abby Hepworth, Travel + Leisure, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for madness

Recent Examples of Synonyms for madness

Noun

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and over.

— Ryan Ottignon, Washington Post, 31 Oct. 2026
Bennett asked the jury to find Hinton not guilty by reason of insanity.

— Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of insanity

Noun

One can treat it as an indelible feature of human psychology, an unavoidable by-product of our appetite for simplicity and affiliation.

— Paul Bloom, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2026
Despite the beery bonhomie and singalong-friendly simplicity of their tunes, the Twisted Teens are grappling with an increasingly complex tangle of contradictions and tensions.

— Stuart Berman, Pitchfork, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of simplicity

Noun

That anger essentially becomes Dylan’s oxygen by the end of the run.

— Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 7 Nov. 2026
The plot of Godzilla Minus Zero is a whirl of characters trying to redeem themselves for their past mistakes, or feeling so much anger toward an aggressor that their own moral compasses go awry.

— Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of anger

Noun

How GLP-1s May Affect Brain Health Analyses of large patient datasets have associated GLP-1 receptor agonists with a reduced risk of cognitive impairment and dementia.

— Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2026
Some Facebook commenters sympathized about the dementia struggle, many others expressed hope of a future business.

— Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of dementia

Noun

Week 7 of the 2026 college football season will go down as one of the most chaotic ever, with five Top 10 teams suffering losses, and the newest AP Top 25 Poll reflects the craziness that unfolded.

— Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Use these Prime Day leftovers as a chance to restock cleaning essentials before the holiday hosting craziness begins.

— Francesca Krempa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of craziness

Noun

Rather, tarantism was a form of mass hysteria, a situation where a group of people share the same intense fear, anxiety, or physical sickness—like dizziness, shaking, or stomach aches—even though there is no real physical or medical grounds for it.

— Laura Kiniry, Popular Science, 10 Nov. 2026
The sinister presence torments the family, and when their two-year-old suddenly vanishes, fear spirals into hysteria and paranoia as the family confronts a terrifying force that has turned their connected world against them.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of hysteria

Noun

There’s definitely a strain of rage that runs through dark comedy, which suggests the Oscar-winning director is still in touch with his inner Clash-loving firebrand.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2026
Guilt, suffering, and justified rage all loom large in Godzilla Minus Zero, and though this is science-fiction, Yamazaki is also keyed in to the real-life underpinnings of his fictional characters’ feelings.

— Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of rage

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mad money

madness

madras

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“Madness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/madness. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of madness

noun

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