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
As Scott stumbles through a chaotic weekend, Neil proves a ride-or-die friend who may be the only sane voice in the madness of wedding season.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 30 May 2025
Once again, the film is about the anguish of losing a loved one and the the desire to connect with the dead one more time, the annihilating madness of grief driving a person to unspeakable ends.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 30 May 2025
Perhaps Judge Young will bring an end to this madness, at least in South Carolina.
—David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
This mass madness, without the thought of the infrastructure needed to support it, is negligence at its core.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for madness
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Matt Grobar, Deadline, 30 May 2025
Once again, the film is about the anguish of losing a loved one and the the desire to connect with the dead one more time, the annihilating madness of grief driving a person to unspeakable ends.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 30 May 2025
Perhaps Judge Young will bring an end to this madness, at least in South Carolina.
—David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
This mass madness, without the thought of the infrastructure needed to support it, is negligence at its core.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 26 May 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 10 Jun. 2025.
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