OpenSynonym

mad

/mæd/

ADJECTIVE

1. Mentally deranged or insane

Having a severely disturbed or irrational state of mind; unable to think or behave in a normal, reasonable way.

1.1. Mental instability and insanity

Used to describe someone perceived as mentally unstable, irrational, or detached from reality. This usage can be informal or stigmatizing.

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Antonyms

Examples

  • People thought the old man was mad because he constantly talked to himself.
  • The character was portrayed as increasingly mad and detached from reality.

Related Words

ADJECTIVE

2. Angry or annoyed

Feeling or expressing strong displeasure, irritation, or hostility toward someone or something.

2.1. Anger and irritation

Commonly used, especially in American English, to describe someone who feels angry, irritated, or upset because of an action, situation, or person.

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Antonyms

Examples

  • She was mad at herself for forgetting the important meeting.
  • The mix-up with the reservations left the customers feeling mad and disappointed.
  • When she discovered the broken vase, she became mad at her mischievous cat.
  • Losing the game in the final moments left the team and their fans feeling mad and defeated.

Related Words

  • anger
  • rage
  • fury
  • resentment
  • irritation
  • indignation
  • hostility
  • frustration

ADJECTIVE

3. Bizarre or wildly unusual

Strange, extraordinary, or difficult to believe because it departs greatly from what is considered normal or expected.

3.1. Strange and absurd situations

Used informally to describe ideas, events, or circumstances that seem bizarre, ridiculous, or astonishingly unusual.

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Antonyms

Examples

  • That is a mad idea, but it might actually work.
  • The film follows a mad sequence of events that becomes increasingly bizarre.
  • It sounds mad to travel across the country just to buy a book.

Related Words

ADJECTIVE

4. Wildly excited or emotionally agitated

In a state of extreme excitement, agitation, or uncontrolled emotional activity.

4.1. Frenzied excitement and agitation

Describes people or animals displaying intense, uncontrolled excitement, confusion, or emotional agitation.

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Antonyms

Examples

  • The dog went mad with excitement when its owner returned home.
  • The crowd went mad when the winning goal was scored.
  • The children were mad with excitement before the school trip.

Related Words

  • excitement
  • agitation
  • frenzy
  • hysteria
  • commotion
  • emotional intensity

ADJECTIVE

5. Extremely foolish or irrational

Showing poor judgment or a lack of reason, especially when making decisions or behaving imprudently.

5.1. Foolish decisions and unreasonable behavior

Used to criticize an idea, decision, or action that seems excessively foolish, impractical, or lacking in sound judgment.

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Antonyms

Examples

  • It would be mad to drive through the storm without checking the road conditions.
  • Spending all your savings on an untested business idea seems completely mad.
  • She thought it was mad to refuse such a promising opportunity.

Related Words

ADJECTIVE

6. Extremely enthusiastic or infatuated

Having an intense interest, enthusiasm, affection, or desire for someone or something.

6.1. Strong enthusiasm and passion

Usually followed by about or for, describing someone who is exceptionally enthusiastic, passionate, or devoted to an activity, subject, or interest.

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Antonyms

Examples

  • He is mad about football and never misses a match.
  • She has always been mad for classical music.
  • The children are mad about the new animated series.

Related Words

6.2. Romantic infatuation and desire

Used to describe someone who is intensely attracted to or infatuated with another person.

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Antonyms

Examples

  • He was mad about her from the moment they met.
  • She was completely mad for the singer and followed his career closely.

Related Words

ADJECTIVE

7. Abnormally ferocious or rabid

Describing an animal that behaves with abnormal aggression or fury, or that is affected by rabies.

7.1. Animal aggression and rabies

Used to describe an animal displaying unusually violent or uncontrollable behavior, particularly when associated with rabies.

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Antonyms

Examples

  • The villagers kept their distance from the mad dog roaming near the road.
  • The story tells of a mad wolf that terrorized the countryside.

Related Words

ADVERB

8. Very or extremely

To a very great degree or extent; used as an informal intensifier to emphasize the strength or amount of something.

8.1. Degree and intensity

Used informally, particularly in some Northeastern American dialects, before adjectives or adverbs to mean very or extremely.

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Antonyms

Examples

  • The restaurant is mad popular with college students.
  • That concert was mad expensive.
  • There were mad people waiting outside the venue.

Related Words

VERB

9. To become mentally deranged

To become mentally unstable or lose the ability to think and behave rationally.

9.1. Losing one's sanity

Used to describe a person becoming mentally disturbed or losing control of rational thought.

Synonyms

  • go crazy
  • go insane
  • lose one's mind

Antonyms

  • recover
  • regain one's sanity

Examples

  • The isolation and pressure threatened to make him mad.
  • She feared that the constant stress would drive her mad.

Related Words

VERB

10. To make someone angry or frustrated

To cause someone to become angry, irritated, or extremely frustrated.

10.1. Provoking anger and frustration

Used transitively to describe causing another person to feel anger, annoyance, or intense frustration.

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Antonyms

Examples

  • The constant delays mad the passengers waiting at the station.
  • His careless remarks mad her more than he realized.

Related Words

  • anger
  • irritation
  • frustration
  • provocation
  • resentment
  • exasperation