maddening

adjective

mad·​den·​ing ˈmad-niŋ How to pronounce maddening (audio)
ˈma-dᵊn-iŋ
1
: tending to craze
2
a
: tending to infuriate
b
: tending to vex : irritating
maddeningly
ˈmad-niŋ-lē How to pronounce maddening (audio)
ˈma-dᵊn-iŋ-
adverb

Examples of maddening in a Sentence

He has a maddening habit of interrupting other people. She shows a maddening inability to control her children.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
For first-time and middle-income buyers, though, the market can be maddening. Laurel Wamsley, NPR, 26 July 2025 Underscoring just how maddening marketing can be today, however, other panelists emphasized the dangers of getting too granularly focused on servicing specific fandoms. Adam B. Vary, Variety, 26 Apr. 2025 What’s maddening is Gunn’s inability to let his characters sit in discomfort. Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 11 July 2025 Andreoli’s patients usually find that doing so reduces swelling, redness, and that maddening desire to scratch. Angela Haupt, Time, 8 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for maddening

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1743, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of maddening was circa 1743

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Maddening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maddening. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

maddening

adjective
mad·​den·​ing
ˈmad-niŋ,
-ᵊn-iŋ
: that irritates or angers
a maddening habit
maddeningly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on maddening

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