maddening

adjective

mad·​den·​ing ˈmad-niŋ 

ˈma-dᵊn-iŋ

1

: tending to disturb or drive mad

2

a

: tending to infuriate

b

: tending to vex : irritating

maddeningly

ˈmad-niŋ-lē 

ˈma-dᵊn-iŋ-

adverb

Synonyms of maddening

• frustrating
• annoying
• irritating
• disturbing

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

The Mets have been hitting the ball on the ground at a maddening rate, though no one can seem to figure out why. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026

This will come as a maddening surprise to anyone who’s tried to enter a federal building without a driver’s license or a passport. —Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026

But this Roundabout production at Studio 54 — the site of glittering debauchery of another era — just isn’t all that much fun, being mostly effortful, maddening and finally exhausting. —Frank Rizzo, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026

In a world filled with doctors, advertisements, wellness influencers and elaborate medical rituals, that insight is both fascinating and profoundly maddening. —Phil Starks, The Conversation, 21 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1743, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for maddening

• saddening

Kids Definition

maddening

adjective

mad·​den·​ing

ˈmad-niŋ, 

-ᵊn-iŋ

: that irritates or angers

a maddening habit

maddeningly adverb