Synonyms for

Madness

Verb / ˈmædnʌs / Another word for madness — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

Madness means a state of being mentally ill, crazy, or insane.

Synonyms & similar words

rabidity hydrophobia craziness rabies folly lunacy rage foolishness lyssa rabidness insaneness fury insanity craziness lunacy delirium derangement psychosis frenzy mania obsession hysteria disturbance confusion chaos bedlam mayhem turmoil uproar madcap wildness

Synonyms by register

Formal

insanity derangement lunacy craziness

Informal

craziness nuts bonkers loony batty

Literary

frenzy mania delirium bedlam

Antonyms

sanity reason sobriety lucidity rationality sense wisdom

Common collocations

  • utter madness
  • sheer madness
  • driving me mad
  • madness of crowds
  • a fit of madness
  • reign of madness
  • circle of madness

Word family

noun madness
adjective mad
adverb madly

Usage note

While 'madness' can refer to severe mental illness, it is often used informally to describe extreme foolishness or irrational behavior. Be mindful of the context to avoid sounding insensitive.

Example sentences

  1. The madness of the storm frightened the children.
  2. The madness of the traffic made her late for the appointment.
  3. His madness was caused by a chemical imbalance in his brain.
  4. She was afraid to tell anyone about her madness.
  5. The madness of the party kept her up all night.

Quotes

  • Insanity is doing the same thing, over and over again, but expecting different results. - Albert Einstein
  • I have lost and loved and won and cried myself to the person I am today. - Charlotte Eriksson
  • The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. - Nelson Mandela

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