madness

mad·ness

noun \ˈmad-nəs\

Definition of MADNESS

1

: the quality or state of being mad: as a : rage b : insanity c : extreme folly d : ecstasy, enthusiasm

2

: any of several ailments of animals marked by frenzied behavior; specifically : rabies

Examples of MADNESS

1. He suffered a series of tragedies that nearly drove him to madness.
2. Her friends told her the idea was pure madness, but she went through with it anyway.
3. It was the height of madness for him to drive at such high speeds!

First Known Use of MADNESS

14th century

Related to MADNESS

Synonyms: aberration, dementia, derangement, lunacy, insanity, mania, rage [archaic]

Antonyms: mind, saneness, sanity

Related Words: neurosis, psychosis; instability, irrationality, unreasonableness; delirium, frenzy, hysteria; hallucinosis, hypomania, paranoia, schizophrenia; senile dementia; delusion, hallucination; monomania, obsession, phobia; abnormality, dementedness, unsoundness

Near Antonyms: lucidity, rationality, rationalness, reasonability, reasonableness; normality, soundness

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Rhymes with MADNESS

badness, gladness, sadness