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
  • Counsel was enraged that his gambit was foiled by one jury holdout on the insanity argument.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Prosecutors questioned the schizophrenia diagnosis and pointed out that suffering from mental illness is not the same as meeting the legal standard of insanity.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of insanity
Noun
  • But the beautiful simplicity of East of Eden has always been its idea that nothing is finished.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
  • These poems are made with some of the simplicity and directness of a song.
    — Colm Tóibín, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of simplicity
Noun
  • Republican lawmakers -- many of them in tough election contests where soaring fuel costs are driving voter anger -- praised the agreement.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The defeat came amid protests sparked by an elderly woman’s eviction, and could deepen public anger and fuel speculation about early elections.
    — Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of anger
Noun
  • Brain disease in dogs and people Our work on aging dogs all began with a desire to develop better treatments for dementia.
    — Julie Moreno, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2026
  • However, among individuals who already had dementia, glucosamine users had a higher mortality compared to similar non-users.
    — Shiv Sudhakar, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 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
  • In the end, director Duong, recognizing Aunt Hanh’s residual indignation, lances that boil.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 4 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
  • Despite, or rather alongside Kramer’s rage, there’s audible affection between them.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Min said he is filled with rage toward his brother-in-law, Walker, for allegedly killing his sister.
    — Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of rage

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mad money
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Cite this Entry

“Madness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/madness. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on madness

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about madness

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