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

Ford, in what only can be described a bout of corporate madness, kept them. —Jeremy White, WIRED, 21 Dec. 2024

Medusa was known in ancient Greece for petrifying anyone who dared to look her in the eye, and has been seen as a personification of madness. —Sarah Belmont, ARTnews.com, 17 Dec. 2024

Here, The Athletic breaks down a day of madness both during and after the game and examines what Wolves fans are thinking. —Steve Madeley, The Athletic, 15 Dec. 2024

Even Fimmel’s madness (recycled from Raised By Wolves) which could have been a great opportunity for some funny moments lacks any flicker of joviality. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing madness

• (a) method in/to one's madness

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