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madness

noun

ˈmad-nəs How to pronounce madness (audio)
Definition of madnessnext
1
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in simplicity
lack of good sense or judgment to do something so reckless would be sheer madness

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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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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 The Newcastle game, a 4-3 away league loss in January, had elements of Wednesday’s back-and-forth madness. — Beren Cross, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026 Influencers, celebrities, buyers, and editors descend on the city for a week of fashion, fun, and yes, a little madness. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 9 Sep. 2026 While operating, Joseph shakes off the space madness by recalling La’an’s advice. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026 There’s a method to that madness, and all the duplicity, false assumptions pay off just like in an Agatha Christie classic. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for madness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for madness
  1. insanity
  2. simplicity
  3. anger
  4. dementia
  5. craziness
  6. indignation
  7. hysteria
  8. rage
Noun
  • Descano’s side went along with his insanity defense after approving a mental health evaluation by psychologist Eric Drogin, court records show.
    — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Eleven of the 12 jurors accepted the defense’s argument that Clancy had acute postpartum psychosis and should be found not guilty by reason of insanity.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of insanity
Noun
  • Black Beans and Sausage The simplicity of this dish allows the true flavors of each ingredient to shine through, meaning the earthy black beans won’t get lost in translation, even when paired with smoky sausage.
    — Riley Wofford, Martha Stewart, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Ebicos Those who don't mind a permanent camper installation might prefer the simplicity of the Happy Dreamer Electric, which deploys and retracts with a single push of a button.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of simplicity
Noun
  • Lee’s film is motivated less by anger and more by curiosity, compassion and a general confusion, as no one quite knows how to behave or feel or just be.
    — Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
  • In politics—according to Berman and, by extension, Longwell—the most convincing arguments play to love, sympathy, greed, fear, and anger.
    — Isaac Arnsdorf, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of anger
Noun
  • However, human studies have not demonstrated that nicotine can prevent dementia, slow Alzheimer’s disease progression, preserve long-term cognitive function or improve outcomes in Parkinson’s disease.
    — Hasmeena Kathuria, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026
  • With science linking more health benefits to caffeine, from better heart health and a lower risk of dementia, this pathway might just be the key force behind it.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 21 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
  • This hampers several of my favorite performances, especially Harper, whose Ben is full of sarcastic indignation, and June Laporte as Ginny, an aspiring reporter in need of proper mentoring.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Both our indignation when the wicked flourish and our sorrow when the righteous suffer have their source in this assumption.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of indignation
Noun
  • Any team that works out Kaepernick invites an immediate circus of scrutiny and racial hysteria.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The whatever that locked life in the truths of biology, chemistry, physics, far from the hysteria and superstitions of her heart, her family, history.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of hysteria
Noun
  • The first word of the book is rage and then things escalate from there.
    — Lane Brown, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026
  • There’s an untamed rage that constantly boils underneath his surface.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of rage

Browse Nearby Words

mad money
madness
madras
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Cite this Entry

“Madness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/madness. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on madness

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about madness

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