maddening

adjective

mad·​den·​ing ˈmad-niŋ 

ˈma-dᵊn-iŋ

1

: tending to craze

2

a

: tending to infuriate

b

: tending to vex : irritating

maddeningly

ˈmad-niŋ-lē 

ˈma-dᵊn-iŋ-

adverb

Synonyms

• abrasive
• aggravating
• annoying
• bothersome
• carking
• chafing
• disturbing
• exasperating
• frustrating
• galling
• irksome
• irritating
• nettlesome
• nettling
• peeving
• pesky
• pestiferous
• pestilent
• pestilential
• pesty
• plaguey
• plaguy
• rankling
• rebarbative
• riling
• vexatious
• vexing

Examples of maddening in a Sentence

He has a maddening habit of interrupting other people.

She shows a maddening inability to control her children.

Recent Examples on the Web

Popular on Variety Her perspective, indeed, is sometimes maddening — and apparently has been even more so in the past. —Dennis Harvey, Variety, 4 Dec. 2024

The Democratic Party’s failure is particularly maddening given that right-wing groups have consistently recognized and weaponized the connection between movements for bodily autonomy. —Colleen Hamilton, Them, 4 Dec. 2024

Quaint detour destinations offer ideal respites that are far from the maddening crowds, and allow travelers to discover hidden gems that aren’t listed in tour handbooks or touted by local tour guides. —Roger Sands, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024

Throughout, the sounds of everyone’s voices, constituents and politicians alike, convey as much as their words do, and the intimacy enhances the maddening implications. 6. —Sarah Larson, The New Yorker, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1743, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

maddening

adjective

mad·​den·​ing

ˈmad-niŋ,

-ᵊn-iŋ

: that irritates or angers

a maddening habit

maddeningly adverb