Madness
As a Noun
- A state of being mentally ill, characterized by irrational behavior or extreme emotions.
- The condition of being wildly unreasonable or out of control.
- A behavior, action, or situation that is chaotic, foolish, or senseless.
- Intense enthusiasm or obsession with something to the point of irrationality.
Word History
The word madness comes from the Old English maded, which is related to the word mad (meaning insane or irrational). It has been used since the 14th century to describe both the state of being mentally disturbed and extreme irrationality or folly. Over time, it expanded to describe intense states of chaos or obsession.
Examples
- The madness of the crowd during the concert was overwhelming.
- His decision to quit his job without a plan seemed like sheer madness.
- After the long and exhausting chase, the situation finally reached madness.
Synonyms
Insanity, lunacy, craziness, irrationality, folly
Recent Examples on Web
- “The madness of the election season has left many voters feeling overwhelmed.”
- “The constant rush for achievements sometimes leads to madness, causing burnout.”
Related Words
Chaos, frenzy, delirium, mania
Antonyms
Sanity, reason, calm, rationality
