madman

[mad-man, -muhn]

noun

plural

madmen 

1. a person who is or behaves as if insane; lunatic; maniac.

madman

/ ˈmædmən /

noun

1. a man who is insane, esp one who behaves violently; lunatic

Word History and Origins

Origin of madman¹

First recorded in 1300–50, madman is from Middle English madd man. See mad, man

Example Sentences

Now he couldn’t help but wonder who exactly was on the other side of his trades—what madman would be selling him so much insurance on bonds he had handpicked to explode?

Read more on Literature

“If there is any madman who wants war, he should be put in a straitjacket!”

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Almost always described as a “disappointed job seeker,” Guiteau was a madman, and Mr. Macfadyen’s portrayal is of both man and madness.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

If there were a way to ensure that train travelers wouldn’t become the victims of the murderous rampage of a madman like Mr. Ferguson, somebody would have come up with it by now.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

One could never tell when a chain-saw-wielding madman was about to jump out from behind a wall.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• lunatic 
• maniac 
• psychopath