madness

noun

mad·​ness ˈmad-nəs How to pronounce madness (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being mad: such as
a
: a state of severe mental illness
not used technically
… fortifications against an inner darkness, the threat of madness that crouched above him throughout his life.Robert F. Moss
b
: behavior or thinking that is very foolish or dangerous : extreme folly
an idea that is pure/sheer madness
d
: intense anger : rage
2
: any of several ailments of animals marked by frenzied behavior
specifically : rabies

Examples of madness in a Sentence

He suffered a series of tragedies that nearly drove him to madness. Her friends told her the idea was pure madness, but she went through with it anyway. It was the height of madness for him to drive at such high speeds!
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Elsewhere, players might enjoy body-replicating madness, brutal climbing simulators, and freewheeling adventure through a magical realist take on the Deep South. Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025 He is asked by RAF Group Captain Lionel Mandrake — a voice of reason in the madness — to recall the B-52 bombers that will end civilization. Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 8 Jan. 2025 Then there were those who had made peace with the madness, boxed it up, and refused to open it. Martin McKenzie-Murray, SPIN, 7 Jan. 2025 While Sabrina Ionescu’s game winner in Game 3 of the 2024 WNBA Finals makes this a close discussion, the madness that ensued in Game 1, coupled with Williams’ heroics at the end of regulation, lift that game above all others. Chantel Jennings, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for madness 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of madness was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near madness

Cite this Entry

“Madness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/madness. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Medical Definition

madness

noun
mad·​ness ˈmad-nəs How to pronounce madness (audio)
1
: a severely disordered state of mind
not used technically
2
: any of several ailments of animals marked by frenzied behavior
specifically : rabies

More from Merriam-Webster on madness

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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