What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
madman
Example
The madman was shouting and throwing things in the street. [madman: noun]
Example
She went mad with rage and started smashing everything in sight. [mad: adjective]
psychopath
Example
The serial killer was diagnosed as a psychopath by the forensic psychiatrist. [psychopath: noun]
Example
He showed no remorse for his actions, leading some to believe he was a psychopathic personality. [psychopathic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Madman is a more common term than psychopath in everyday language, but both words are used in different contexts and situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between madman and psychopath?
Psychopath is a more formal term than madman and is often used in clinical or legal settings to describe a specific type of personality disorder. Madman is a more casual term that can be used in a variety of contexts, but may also be considered outdated or insensitive in some situations.