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 Word Forms

• 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

Nowadays, Thewlis’ return to something approximating our old-fashioned picture of Holmes reminds us of sensibility’s valiance in a world given to absurdity and madness.

From Salon

None of this madness has caused his staff or the right-wing media to hesitate for a moment to keep spinning, claiming faith that Trump's moronic groping is a secret genius plan to make everyone super-rich.

From Salon

"It's madness that they didn't have speed bump ramps up there years and years ago."

From BBC

What ties all this together is a fear of criticizing Trump directly, and instead hoping that all this gentle hand-holding and blame-shifting will give their leader the space he needs to stop the madness.

From Salon

Watching the definition of madness in action can be maddening.

From Salon

Related Words

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