as in frustrating
causing annoyance
after a few days, she found the monotonous work to be absolutely maddening
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in disturbing
to cause to go insane or as if insane
the endless swarms of mosquitoes all but maddened the explorers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in infuriating
to make angry
her perpetual tardiness maddened her friends to no end
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of maddening
Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2025
That’s become the most maddening feature of a maddening season that started with a No. 1 ranking.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 14 Mar. 2025
On opening day, there were maddening crowds around the festival trading pins that feature Orange Bird, Figment, Winnie the Pooh and Simba.
—Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2025
The area’s long history of fishing combined with North Carolina’s rich culinary culture has created a landscape of restaurants with roots as deep as the waters
Activities
From biking to beach fun, North Carolina’s Crystal Coast offers a wide variety of activities far from the maddening crowds.
—Roger Sands, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maddening
Adjective
Perhaps most maddening about the status quo is that food is simultaneously over- and under-regulated.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2025
That’s become the most maddening feature of a maddening season that started with a No. 1 ranking.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 14 Mar. 2025
On opening day, there were maddening crowds around the festival trading pins that feature Orange Bird, Figment, Winnie the Pooh and Simba.
—Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2025
The area’s long history of fishing combined with North Carolina’s rich culinary culture has created a landscape of restaurants with roots as deep as the waters
Activities
From biking to beach fun, North Carolina’s Crystal Coast offers a wide variety of activities far from the maddening crowds.
—Roger Sands, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maddening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maddening
Adjective
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Timing Gaps: Traditional file transfers typically operate on rigid schedules—often daily or even weekly—creating frustrating delays between participant actions and results.—
Charlie Gautreaux,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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Even the strongest and happiest relationships can falter when seemingly small, frustrating habits are left unaddressed.—
Jourdan Travers,
CNBC,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Don’t come over here disturbing my peace if mahogany queens aren’t your preferred type.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Crimping is the process of severing a crop at the base and laying it over to create a decomposing thatch/mulch layer for the garden without disturbing the soil.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Increasing one’s protein intake requires an annoying amount of foresight, a willingness to experience short-term displeasure, or both.—
Hannah Goldfield,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
-
This eye-rolling, annual chore is annoying, obviously, but also tied to the functioning of government.—
Made by History,
Time,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The prequel will introduce his family and girlfriend and the events that led up to his victory, notorious for angering the Capitol elite.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA TODAY,
12 Mar. 2025
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Reports suggest that some Republican lawmakers are frustrated with Musk’s bluster and that the DOGE approach to slashing the federal bureaucracy is angering constituents and making lawmakers less popular in their districts.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
In place of intense (and potentially irritating) acids, Mediheal's Madecassoside Blemish Pads target breakouts and breakout-causing bacteria with anti-inflammatory powerhouses madecassoside and cica.—
Sarah Han,
Allure,
25 Apr. 2025
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As the protagonist/antihero, audiences meet everyone through his eyes (and imperious narration) — and in his view, most people are shallow and irritating, especially the residents of Madre Linda.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Occupying and distracting the mind.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
-
While most of the acting is wonderful (Wyle is predictably great, but so is just about all of the main cast), some patient-of-the-week players err towards distracting histrionics.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Rodin Cars The big idea behind Rodin is to build cars without bothering about vehicle regulations – in stark contrast to F1 cars, which are subject to several rules around how they're put together.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
2 Jan. 2025
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The city and state have also been ramping up efforts to engage troubled vagrants sleeping and sometimes bothering straphangers, connecting them with services and shelter and potentially involuntary treatment.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Representative Mike Lawler of New York, who has hinted at ambitions for a governor bid in 2026, according to the New York Post, will need to walk a fine line between appeasing his party and not upsetting potential voters in his home state, which could put him at odds with Republicans.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
4 Jan. 2025
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These weeds require control to prevent upsetting the entire turf ecosystem.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
1 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Maddening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maddening. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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