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 As currents floated the ship north and tugboats struggled to drag it to port, the thousands of people aboard descended into filth, madness, and worse. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 17 July 2026 The Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB shares his method behind the madness. — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026 Neill plays Mark in director Andrzej Żuławski’s fearless study of madness, opposite the incredible Isabelle Adjani as his increasingly disturbed wife, Anna. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 14 July 2026 Dalishus’ wife rushed over the barrier and into the ring to try to stop the madness. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for madness

Recent Examples of Synonyms for madness

Noun

This case involved a client who, after years of competency litigation, was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to a state forensic hospital.

— Schnelle Tonge, Sun Sentinel, 16 July 2026
This is reaching the level of insanity in the state of Georgia.

— Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026

Definition of insanity

Noun

Unlike trends that involve shoving one pastry into another, salt bread’s virality is rooted in simplicity, capturing attention with little other than butter and a bit of salt.

— Candy Hom, AJC.com, 19 July 2026
Platformization and simplicity drive cybersecurity buyers, and organizations with an appetite for new companies are often looking to complete their platform capabilities.

— Rohit Dhamankar, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of simplicity

Noun

Jennifer Wedel, whose daughter graduated from Heritage Christian Academy, has been outspoken about her frustration and anger at Eric Crawford allowing his son to work around children.

— Rachel Royster July 23, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026
Much of the public’s anger was directed at Syrskyi, who became a symbol of deeper frustrations that had accumulated within the military since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026

Definition of anger

Noun

Alzheimer’s disease, which accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases, can progress through three main stages.

— Richard Sima, Washington Post, 21 July 2026
Butter and Margarine Findings presented at Nutrition 2023 showed that people who consumed more than half a tablespoon of olive oil a day had a 28% lower risk of dying from dementia than peers who rarely used it.

— Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026

Definition of dementia

Noun

Mind you, Miss Manners agrees with your indignation at this fraudulent maneuver.

— Judith Martin, Mercury News, 21 July 2026
And Anne Hathaway, in a bravura performance, situates Penelope on an emotional precipice, caught between indecision and indignation, between yearning for her husband and a palpable disgust with the alternatives.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 July 2026

Definition of indignation

Noun

Elon Musk continues to rage over Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, which defied online hysteria from the right and broke box office records in its first days in theaters.

— Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 22 July 2026
The hysteria often comes with a fat dollop of Trumpian imperiousness, not requesting your engagement so much as demanding it.

— Michelle Cottle, Mercury News, 9 July 2026

Definition of hysteria

Noun

As wildfires rage across Canada and the American West, the announcement from federal forecasters that an El Niño warming is forming thousands of miles away in the tropical Pacific Ocean may offer some regions relief — next year, at least.

— Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026
In a fit of rage a couple of nights later, Kimmel grabbed his father’s handgun, found the truck of bullies responsible, and blocked them in.

— Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of rage

Browse Nearby Words

mad money

madness

madras

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“Madness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/madness. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of madness

noun

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