madness

noun

mad·​ness ˈmad-nəs 

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

c

: ecstasy, enthusiasm

d

: intense anger : rage

2

: any of several ailments of animals marked by frenzied behavior

specifically : rabies

Synonyms

• aberration
• dementia
• derangement
• insanity
• lunacy
• mania
• rage [archaic]

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

And, last weekend, in the midst of Met Gala madness, the four iconic artist-entrepreneurs were reunited at the show’s 20th anniversary. —India Espy-Jones, Essence, 14 May 2025

In some Asian and Middle Eastern traditions, dementia was historically associated with madness or idiocy. —Marion Renault, The Atlantic, 13 May 2025

Bebe Zahara Benet delivered pure magic (with a dose of madness) in her inexplicable yet massively memorable and instantly meme-able verse. —Barry Levitt, Vulture, 12 May 2025

And so the madness of it was really hard to control. —Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 11 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing madness

• (a) method in/to one's madness

Rhymes for madness

• badness
• gladness
• sadness

Medical Definition

madness

noun

mad·​ness ˈmad-nəs 

1

: a severely disordered state of mind

—not used technically

2

: any of several ailments of animals marked by frenzied behavior

specifically : rabies