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Synonyms

stark raving mad

Idioms  

  1. Totally crazy, as in The constant uncertainty over his job is making him stark raving mad. This term, meaning “completely wildly insane,” is used both hyperbolically and literally. Versions of this expression appear to have sprung from the minds of great literary figures. Stark mad was first recorded by poet John Skelton in 1489; stark raving was first recorded by playwright John Beaumont in 1648; stark staring mad was first used by John Dryden in 1693. The current wording, stark raving mad, first appeared in Henry Fielding's The Intriguing Chambermaid in 1734.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He looked at me as if I was stark raving mad.

From BBC • Nov. 24, 2023

The truth is it drove him stark raving mad.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2019

It looked to them like we’d gone stark raving mad.

From Forbes • Apr. 7, 2015

They express frustration, anger and often helplessness — powerful emotions that come from the constant onslaught of a culture that has gone stark raving mad.

From Washington Times • Jun. 3, 2014

Just as I thought they would all go stark raving mad, a taxi pulled up outside.

From "Walk Two Moons" by Sharon Creech

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.