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

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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 Common sense gun regulations are the only hope for reversing this madness. — Dan Sweeney, Sun Sentinel, 22 Sep. 2026 The idea of building a powerful machine without such safeguards was madness. — Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026 Buffalo Bills games are Disney World for NFL tailgating debauchery, but there's a method to the madness. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026 With one of the regional sites next April moving from Bridgeport to PeoplesBank Arena, and another regional scheduled for Springfield, UConn has a chance to really extend the madness past March around here. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 16 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
  • Claiming that white skin color is why Bueckers and other white women have had success/opportunities, is insanity.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • And that was like Vitalogy, probably the peak of the insanity.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of insanity
Noun
  • Such a complicated form belies the simplicity of much of the language in it.
    — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026
  • This season’s star was the Asa Tote, a large flat architectural shape with asymmetric shoulder straps that shined in its simplicity thanks to the contrasting textures, like in the charming canvas and leather version.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of simplicity
Noun
  • Investors are closely watching the government's next moves in a highly indebted country where street anger has often been tamed with more state spending.
    — Makini Brice, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Week six is now upon us, and with that, several data points are now available for prognosticators and experts alike to draw from and anger fans with in the process.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of anger
Noun
  • Years passed before doctors solved the mystery, first attributing the behavioral changes to frontotemporal dementia (FTD), then linking that rare condition to a genetic mutation.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Eleven months later, his family had a more specific diagnosis, frontotemporal dementia.
    — Sam Kashner, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of dementia
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of craziness
Noun
  • Along with his signature rapid-fire, garrulous dialogue, Sorkin’s tendency for self-righteous indignation is very much in evidence.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
  • But a new wave of indignation swept Spain when Abascal, who uses a wheelchair, was carried on a stretcher from her apartment after police cordoned off the street.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of indignation
Noun
  • Russell turned the story into an extravagant examination of religious hysteria and political power, with stark white sets by Derek Jarman and an avant-garde score by Peter Maxwell Davies.
    — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Any team that works out Kaepernick invites an immediate circus of scrutiny and racial hysteria.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of hysteria
Noun
  • Denial gave way to rage, then rage collapsed into despair, for there is no bargain to be made with genocide.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Using this [execution] to invoke rage, or some political statement, is not something the families want.
    — Meagan Harris, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of rage

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Cite this Entry

“Madness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/madness. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on madness

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about madness

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