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
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]
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 Without spoiling the whole maze, expect some special effects and club-like madness when violence strikes, with sound, lighting and water splashes triggered by the actors. Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2022 But once Tuesday hits, the airport madness might subside. Peter Greenberg, CBS News, 1 Sep. 2022 Qua Baths & Spa offers a unique and elevated experience for the Vegas goer who just wants a little bit of R&R amidst the madness. Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 29 Aug. 2022 In a moment of ordinary madness, three girlfriends decide to shoot a burqa music video. Chris Willman, Variety, 26 Aug. 2022 For those who disliked Daenerys Targaryen’s descent into murderous madness, any series set in the same universe has a lot of work to do to win back their loyalty. Sean T. Collins, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2022 Their unexpected meeting reveals a madness that was always present but never noticed. Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 19 Aug. 2022 Unfortunately, none of those agonizing symptoms are usually strong enough to overcome the hypoxia-inducing madness and return to rational thought in time to slow down and run at a more honest pace. Brian Metzler, Outside Online, 16 Aug. 2022 These episodes, which become a dissection of his character’s madness, lose a crucial balance, one that is never restored. Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2022 See More
Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2022 But once Tuesday hits, the airport madness might subside. Peter Greenberg, CBS News, 1 Sep. 2022 Qua Baths & Spa offers a unique and elevated experience for the Vegas goer who just wants a little bit of R&R amidst the madness. Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 29 Aug. 2022 In a moment of ordinary madness, three girlfriends decide to shoot a burqa music video. Chris Willman, Variety, 26 Aug. 2022 For those who disliked Daenerys Targaryen’s descent into murderous madness, any series set in the same universe has a lot of work to do to win back their loyalty. Sean T. Collins, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2022 Their unexpected meeting reveals a madness that was always present but never noticed. Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 19 Aug. 2022 Unfortunately, none of those agonizing symptoms are usually strong enough to overcome the hypoxia-inducing madness and return to rational thought in time to slow down and run at a more honest pace. Brian Metzler, Outside Online, 16 Aug. 2022 These episodes, which become a dissection of his character’s madness, lose a crucial balance, one that is never restored. Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing 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
madness
noun
1
as in insanity
a serious mental disorder that prevents one from living a safe and normal life nowadays certain forms of madness are quite treatable Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- insanity
- dementia
- hysteria
- schizophrenia
- paranoia
- instability
- mania
- lunacy
- rage
- derangement
- frenzy
- aberration
- psychosis
- neurosis
- delusion
- irrationality
- delirium
- obsession
- unreasonableness
- abnormality
- phobia
- hallucination
- hypomania
- monomania
- unsoundness
- senile dementia
- hallucinosis
- dementedness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- sanity
- mind
- rationality
- saneness
- lucidity
- reasonableness
- normality
- reasonability
- soundness
- rationalness
2
as in craziness
lack of good sense or judgment to do something so reckless would be sheer madness Synonyms & Similar Words
- insanity
- craziness
- simplicity
- absurdity
- foolishness
- lunacy
- wackiness
- daftness
- silliness
- unwisdom
- zaniness
- imbecility
- nuttiness
- fatuousness
- inanity
- stupidness
- folly
- senselessness
- stupidity
- witlessness
- preposterousness
- dottiness
- idiocy
- nonsensicalness
- brainlessness
- fatuity
- asininity
- irrationality
- balminess
- slowness
- dullness
- feeblemindedness
- mindlessness
- dippiness
- obtuseness
- ridiculousness
- simpleness
- unreasonableness
- dumbness
- simplemindedness
- weirdness
- dopiness
- oafishness
- doltishness
- kookiness
- denseness
- dulness
- fallacy
- ludicrousness
- vacuity
- gormlessness
- dim-wittedness
- laughableness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- sanity
- wisdom
- prudence
- rationality
- sagacity
- soundness
- sensibleness
- validity
- reasonableness
- sapience
- logicality
- perception
- insight
- reasonability
- sagaciousness
- sageness
- discernment
- logicalness
- rationalness
- percipience
3
as in anger
an intense emotional state of displeasure with someone or something her incessant insults goaded him to such madness that he would storm around breaking dishes and slamming doors Synonyms & Similar Words
- anger
- rage
- fury
- indignation
- outrage
- wrath
- mad
- mood
- wrathfulness
- irritation
- exasperation
- jealousy
- irritability
- slow burn
- furor
- contempt
- bitterness
- annoyance
- hostility
- resentment
- angriness
- ire
- spleen
- birse
- choler
- malice
- temper
- lividity
- outburst
- envy
- malevolence
- irateness
- lividness
- aggravation
- embitterment
- grudge
- vexation
- animosity
- delirium
- enmity
- antagonism
- vindictiveness
- venom
- vengefulness
- spite
- belligerence
- antipathy
- acrimony
- rancor
- crankiness
- pugnacity
- virulence
- bile
- biliousness
- querulousness
- contentiousness
- contrariness
- irascibility
- heat
- vitriol
- orneriness
- jaundice
- pique
- warmth
- quarrelsomeness
- pugnaciousness
- flare
- road rage
- rise
- acrimoniousness
- hot-headedness
- passion
- disputatiousness
- dudgeon
- blowup
- pet
- air rage
- irascibleness
- empoisonment
- ruffle
- huff
- flare-up
- dander
- chafe
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- pleasure
- delight
- patience
- calmness
- forbearance