maddening

adjective

mad·​den·​ing ˈmad-niŋ How to pronounce maddening (audio)
ˈma-dᵊn-iŋ
1
: tending to craze
2
a
: tending to infuriate
b
: tending to vex : irritating
maddeningly
ˈmad-niŋ-lē How to pronounce maddening (audio)
ˈma-dᵊn-iŋ-
adverb

Examples of maddening in a Sentence

He has a maddening habit of interrupting other people. She shows a maddening inability to control her children.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Still, curating reliable investing resources that fit your needs can be maddening. Catherine Brock, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025 Perhaps most maddening about the status quo is that food is simultaneously over- and under-regulated. Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2025 That’s become the most maddening feature of a maddening season that started with a No. 1 ranking. Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 14 Mar. 2025 On opening day, there were maddening crowds around the festival trading pins that feature Orange Bird, Figment, Winnie the Pooh and Simba. Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for maddening

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1743, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of maddening was circa 1743

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Maddening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maddening. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

maddening

adjective
mad·​den·​ing
ˈmad-niŋ,
-ᵊn-iŋ
: that irritates or angers
a maddening habit
maddeningly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on maddening

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!