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
Yet the performance never quite reaches the operatic madness one associates with the character.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
Expect the Valkyries to be a factor in Year 2, whenever the madness begins.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
March brings college basketball madness, with the NCAA Tournament taking off with Selection Sunday on March 15.
—Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
Then, with many on the court at this point, Stewart came rushing off the Pistons’ bench to confront Bridges, throwing a punch as their altercation became the focal point of the madness on the hardwood.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for madness
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Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
Expect the Valkyries to be a factor in Year 2, whenever the madness begins.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
March brings college basketball madness, with the NCAA Tournament taking off with Selection Sunday on March 15.
—Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
Then, with many on the court at this point, Stewart came rushing off the Pistons’ bench to confront Bridges, throwing a punch as their altercation became the focal point of the madness on the hardwood.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for madness
Cite this Entry
“Madness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/madness. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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