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

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 madness As dark occurrences begin to shatter the quiet of their isolated home, the boy is forced to navigate a harrowing psychological nightmare where the line between real-world madness and supernatural terror blurs. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026 Putting missiles on what is essentially a 65-ft (20-m) robotic sailboard might seem as logical as putting a cannon on a duck punt (which has been done), but there is a method to the madness. — David Szondy august 27, New Atlas, 28 Aug. 2026 Can a squad of scientists (including Kurt Russell) fight off madness and mayhem before the Thing overtakes them all? — Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026 This week the madness leaps from the stage to the screen as Stamptown premieres its first Netflix special Tuesday. — Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for madness

Recent Examples of Synonyms for madness

Noun

Fewer than one per cent of Americans charged with felonies plead insanity, and the great majority of those who do have previously been hospitalized with a serious psychiatric condition.

— Ian Parker, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
And the polarizing trial of Lindsay Clancy, a labor-and-delivery nurse who pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity after killing her three children in 2023, has captivated the country since July.

— Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of insanity

Noun

As a result, water is often scarce, and small protests have erupted, despite the fear of being detained, as anger and frustration boil over.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026
Hundreds of protesters rallied outside Israel’s embassy in Bangkok, demanding that foreign visitors — especially Israelis — stop flouting Thai laws and customs as anger over tourist misconduct spills into the streets.

— Jintamas Saksornchai, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of anger

Noun

Among the people who had donated their brains to research, nearly 60% had been diagnosed with dementia, while just under 19% had a neurodegenerative condition listed as a cause of death.

— Mike McRae September 15, New Atlas, 15 Sep. 2026
As for those extra 13 dementia-free years, the NYU study reinforces that what’s good for the heart is good for the brain.

— Lauran Neergaard, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of dementia

Noun

Jacksonville has a successful Triple-A franchise, the Jumbo Shrimp, that won its league last year, bringing fun theme nights, quirky mascots and between-inning craziness.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
And there’s plenty more moving yet outrageous craziness to come.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of craziness

Noun

Cancer Rising September begins with you very much waking up on the wrong side of the bed, but your indignation might just be the thing that saves you in the end.

— Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026
On cue, China expressed indignation about anti-missile deployments.

— Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of indignation

Noun

Verrett inserted himself into the mentions by spreading unprompted racial hysteria.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Inuit people in the Arctic Circle have been known to experience a type of hysteria known as piblokto, which might be brought on by the sensory deprivation of long winters.

— Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of hysteria

Noun

Right now, sensory toys are all the rage, so consider adding these $7 squishy toys to your cart.

— Anja Webb, Parents, 15 Sep. 2026
This was right in the peak of Elon Musk’s reconstruction of Twitter, privileging rage bait and engagement tactics that helped misinformation disseminate like fact.

— Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 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 17 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of madness

noun

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