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

That means adding shelters/mental health and ending programs that don’t deliver results — no more inaction and excuses. 3 – The sewage crisis is maddening. —Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025

Despite all this maddening news about deception and rate increases, there’s an important reality to remember: Insurance costs should absolutely be higher in Florida than most of America, because the risks are greater here. —Scott Maxwell, Sun Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2025

February, on the contrary, was ludicrous, delivering a deluge of life-consuming experiences, from Civilization VII’s grand strategy soap opera to Kingdom Come: Deliverance II’s medieval RPG of beguiling, maddening detail. —Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2025

These Rangers have been maddening, uninspired, good at times — all over the map. —Arthur Staple, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1743, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for maddening

• saddening

Kids Definition

maddening

adjective

mad·​den·​ing

ˈmad-niŋ,

-ᵊn-iŋ

: that irritates or angers

a maddening habit

maddeningly adverb