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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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 Welcome to the Amazon Prime Day 2026 madness! — Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 22 June 2026 Watch out for that 8-ball Phillies 14, Nationals 9 — More Phillies madness. — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 26 June 2026 In the midst of the final stretch of World Cup madness, here are eight shows happening in Kansas City in July. — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026 Either Cody or Gunther wins because Sami gets screwed; Zayn will then further descend into madness and attack someone after the bell. — Darren Cooper, Forbes.com, 26 June 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
  • Iraq, Canada, United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Qatar, Saudi Arabia After accidentally cursing President Saddam Hussein on stage, theater actor Salem convinces a military court of his insanity to escape a death sentence.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 6 July 2026
  • San Francisco trailed 6-1 at the time of Webb’s departure, and given Coors Field’s penchant for insanity, a comeback wasn’t out of the question.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 4 July 2026
Definition of insanity
Noun
  • Mixing knits with leather creates texture and contrast in the outfit, while the height and simplicity of these solid-color boots helps ground the overall look.
    — Abby Morgan Lebet, Glamour, 6 July 2026
  • Professionals must actively map where their risk truly lies, assessing counterparty exposure, income correlation, and cost repricing, rather than mistaking simplicity for safety.
    — Henrik Totterman, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of simplicity
Noun
  • Winters prioritized strategic logic over acknowledging the profound emotional impact on his workforce, fostering fear and anger.
    — Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Thousands of demonstrators massed across South African cities, venting anger at undocumented foreign nationals.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 1 July 2026
Definition of anger
Noun
  • The lifetime cost of dementia care alone now exceeds $400,000 per person.
    — John Samuels, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • However, the study was observational and does not prove that caffeine directly prevents dementia.
    — Lauren Pastrana, CBS News, 29 June 2026
Definition of dementia
Noun
  • The forecast for Thursday calls for craziness.
    — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 18 June 2026
  • Meanwhile, the Spurs had to rush off the court to avoid getting caught up in all the craziness.
    — Joe Vardon, New York Times, 11 June 2026
Definition of craziness
Noun
  • The video went viral, encapsulating the prevalent mood of indignation about official nonaction.
    — Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
  • He was deservedly sent off after a reckless foul on Pau Cubarsi, before grabbing the referee’s arm and tossing it to the side in indignation.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 28 June 2026
Definition of indignation
Noun
  • And the hysteria over the centers seemed to be not as much about freedom, or competing educational philosophies, or politics at all, as about an ever-shrinking pot of money.
    — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
  • From causing supernatural events to creating hysteria, our orbiting nightlight has always had legends and folktales written about it.
    — Taylor Grothe, Parents, 28 June 2026
Definition of hysteria
Noun
  • He’s been known to blow up legislation, make surprise nominations, rage-post about sitting Republican lawmakers and retaliate by endorsing their primary opponents.
    — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • Maybe that's why, in a moment when the country feels eggshell brittle, riding has become such an essential outlet for me—a way to turn my rage into forward motion.
    — Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
Definition of rage

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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 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on madness

Nglish: Translation of madness for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about madness

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