madness

[ mad-nis ]

noun

1. the state of being mad; insanity.
2. senseless folly:

   It is sheer madness to speak as you do.

3. frenzy; rage.
4. intense excitement or enthusiasm.

madness

/ ˈmædnɪs /

noun

1. insanity; lunacy
2. extreme anger, excitement, or foolishness
3. a nontechnical word for rabies

Other Words From

• pre·madness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of madness¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, madness is from the Middle English word madnesse. See mad, -ness

Idioms and Phrases

see method in one's madness .

Example Sentences

Reed’s madness is not rooted in his understanding of faith as a desire to be controlled — if it were, there would be men in those cages too.

From Los Angeles Times

Scherzinger’s Norma, doused in blood and adrift in madness, is treated as though she were a composite of Blanche DuBois, Medea and Sissy Spacek’s Carrie.

From Los Angeles Times

But like anything this character does, there is a method to her madness.

From Los Angeles Times

Dave called sacking Robins "madness" and wondered "who is out there that can realistically do a better job".

From BBC

They must simultaneously figure out how to rally their coalition against the coming onslaught of far-right policy madness while conducting a thorough autopsy of how the party has once again found itself in this dreadful position.

From Slate

Related Words

• absurdity
• craziness
• delusion
• foolishness
• hysteria
• lunacy
• mania
• mental illness
• stupidity