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
Robert F. Moss
b
: behavior or thinking that is very foolish or dangerous : extreme folly
an idea that is pure/sheer madness
c
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
The there is the early childhood of the people she’s been visiting, most of whom are now in their late 80s or 90s — the innocent pre-World War II days before the round-ups, the concentration camps, the madness, the murder.
—Christine Dimattei, Sun Sentinel, 18 June 2025
Irresistible madness: Boca Juniors and Benfica see red, Chelsea ease past LAFC
Now then.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 17 June 2025
On the one hand, resistance to literary devices is tragic: the Fact Checker became overwhelmed by the chaos of reality, and maybe some metaphor would have kept the madness at bay.
—Isabel Clara Ruehl
june 16, Literary Hub, 16 June 2025
Just a normal rush hour excursion anywhere within the spokes of uptown features bumper-to-bumper traffic that necessitates a constant peek at Waze to see what’s the best route to avoid the madness.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for madness
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Christine Dimattei, Sun Sentinel, 18 June 2025
Irresistible madness: Boca Juniors and Benfica see red, Chelsea ease past LAFC
Now then.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 17 June 2025
On the one hand, resistance to literary devices is tragic: the Fact Checker became overwhelmed by the chaos of reality, and maybe some metaphor would have kept the madness at bay.
—Isabel Clara Ruehl
june 16, Literary Hub, 16 June 2025
Just a normal rush hour excursion anywhere within the spokes of uptown features bumper-to-bumper traffic that necessitates a constant peek at Waze to see what’s the best route to avoid the madness.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for madness
Cite this Entry
“Madness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/madness. Accessed 22 Jun. 2025.
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