madden

American  

[mad-n] / ˈmæd n /

verb (used with object)

1. to anger or infuriate.

   The delays maddened her.

   Synonyms:

   annoy, vex, irritate, exasperate, inflame, anger, enrage, provoke

   Antonyms:

   mollify, calm

2. to make insane.

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verb (used without object)

1. to become mad; act as if mad; rage.

madden British  

/ ˈmædən /

verb

1. to make or become mad or angry

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Other Word Forms

• unmaddened adjective

Etymology

Origin of madden

First recorded in 1725–35; mad + -en ¹

Example Sentences

Potts was asked to bowl one more futile spell of bouncers, with the maddening Smith playing tennis-style smashes and signalling a wide to the umpires.

From BBC

Figuring out the purse for 34 of the 35 graded stakes races at Santa Anita is, for horsemen anyway, maddeningly simple: Just look up the minimum purse required in North America.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s time to break the maddening cycle by getting back to basics, heading into the new year.

From Barron's

It’s time to break the maddening cycle by getting back to basics, heading into the new year.

From Barron's

Efforts to force a lasting legacy are maddening, but ultimately, they will fail.

From Salon