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 peaceful scene of pandas resting in a meadow is quickly disturbed by Jack Black, Jason Momoa, and Sebastian Hansen hurtling to the ground at full speed with a bucket of video-game accurate water, and from there, all kinds of madness ensues.
—Billie Melissa, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
And when her brother-in-law, Stanley (Marlon Brando), rapes her, her descent into madness was made all the more vivid and believable by Leigh's precise depiction of vulnerability and instability.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025
Only losing one game in the month of madness over the past two national championship seasons, the Huskies started it off on the right foot with a 75-63 win at Providence on Saturday, their second decisive victory in a row.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2025
The game action, atmosphere and post-game celebration are part of the madness as teams push towards conference championships and tournament time.
—Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for madness
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Billie Melissa, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
And when her brother-in-law, Stanley (Marlon Brando), rapes her, her descent into madness was made all the more vivid and believable by Leigh's precise depiction of vulnerability and instability.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025
Only losing one game in the month of madness over the past two national championship seasons, the Huskies started it off on the right foot with a 75-63 win at Providence on Saturday, their second decisive victory in a row.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2025
The game action, atmosphere and post-game celebration are part of the madness as teams push towards conference championships and tournament time.
—Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 28 Feb. 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 9 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share