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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in simplicity
lack of good sense or judgment
to do something so reckless would be sheer madness
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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
That might be the most meaningful takeaway from the madness of March’s schedule.
—
Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Unfortunately, their appearance is so hideous to ordinary flesh-and-blood creatures that looking at a Medusan is liable to induce madness and death.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 2 Apr. 2026
The slasher takes place in an idyllic summer town that descends into madness when an ice cream man serves kids from his truck with horrifying results.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
No matter what happens, it’s been a magical March for college basketball, with a chance for more madness in Indy.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for madness
Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Unfortunately, their appearance is so hideous to ordinary flesh-and-blood creatures that looking at a Medusan is liable to induce madness and death.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 2 Apr. 2026
The slasher takes place in an idyllic summer town that descends into madness when an ice cream man serves kids from his truck with horrifying results.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
No matter what happens, it’s been a magical March for college basketball, with a chance for more madness in Indy.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 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, expecting a different result.—
Mary Ramsey
April 8,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Clancy will be undergoing a forensic psychological evaluation later this week after Reddington informed the court of her intention to plead not guilty by reason of insanity at trial.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Their simplicity in dress masks their tremendous success.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
-
On one hand, there’s a simplicity to the song, and yet there’s a lot of complex things going on behind it.—
Steve Appleford,
SPIN,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Eighteen years later, Martha-Ann Alito would be recorded expressing her still-raw anger over a Washington Post column that critiqued her wardrobe.—
Peter S. Canellos,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Every game is played away from home, the atmosphere always feels hostile and the wild-west of social media means the anger and loathing persist long after a match has ended.—
Graham Scott,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
However, with a broader definition, women’s health now encompasses all of the conditions that affect women disproportionately, uniquely, and differently, from autoimmune conditions to chronic pain and dementia.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Your brain on a plant-rich diet Eating more plant foods than animal products is linked to a lower risk of dementia, even in older age, according to a new study.—
Tricia Escobedo,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But while March Madness may be over, there was plenty of April craziness in store this week, so let’s get into the news.—
Grace Miserocchi,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2026
-
After Thursday night’s Charlotte craziness, in which both ACC Tournament quarterfinals in the evening session were decided by a single point, Friday night instead brought back-to-back blowouts, as Virginia rolled past Miami in the first game.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Surely there was something more beneath all this mild pleasantness, some edge of resentment, a few shards of indignation on the brink of cutting through.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
-
To his astonishment — and culinary indignation — the screen returned an absolute void.—
Paula Soria,
AZCentral.com,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Once inside, fans kept their hysteria on the inside, to the point that even Hollywood High’s librarians might have approved of their behavior.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
6 Apr. 2026
-
In the midst of the hysteria, Auriemma issued an apology statement released by UConn on Saturday afternoon.—
Lori Riley,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But what do designers think about the resurgence of the heavily curtained look, which was all the rage in the 1980s?—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Uthmeier has also gone out of his way to weaken criminal cases that don’t dovetail with his philosophy, including an Orlando road-rage case where a man was shot to death.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Madness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/madness. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
