Mad vs. Sad — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 9, 2024
Mad often indicates anger or frustration, while sad refers to feelings of sorrow or unhappiness.
Difference Between Mad and Sad
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Mad typically describes an emotional state of anger or irritation. Whereas, sad is used to express feelings of despair or dejection.
When someone is mad, they might exhibit aggressive behavior or express annoyance. On the other hand, someone who is sad might withdraw socially and appear melancholic.
The causes of feeling mad can include personal grievances or external frustrations. Conversely, sadness often stems from personal loss or disappointment.
In terms of physical expression, being mad may involve frowning, yelling, or other explosive behaviors, while sadness is usually accompanied by crying, a slumped posture, or a quiet demeanor.
Dealing with a mad person often requires approaches to calm them down or address their grievances, whereas comforting a sad person might involve providing support and empathy.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Emotion
Anger
Sorrow
Typical Causes
Injustice, frustration, conflict
Loss, failure, disappointment
Common Expressions
Yelling, scowling, arguing
Crying, withdrawing, quietness
Coping Strategies
Venting, problem-solving
Support, reflection, therapy
Impact on Relationships
Often causes conflict
Can bring people closer or isolate
Compare with Definitions
Mad
Mentally perturbed or very angry.
He was mad after losing the game.
Sad
Unimpressive or pathetic.
The lack of enthusiasm at the event was sad.
Mad
Insanely foolish.
It was a mad idea to go swimming in the storm.
Sad
Causing or characterized by sorrow or regret.
It was a sad story that made everyone cry.
Mad
Done without due consideration.
In a mad rush, he forgot his keys.
Sad
Serious, grave.
His face bore a sad expression during the ceremony.
Mad
Enthusiastically fond of something.
She is mad about classical music.
Sad
Feeling or showing sorrow.
She felt sad about her friend moving away.
Mad
Characterized by wild, uncontrolled behavior.
They threw a mad party last night.
Sad
Pathetically inadequate or unsatisfactory.
The team's performance was sad to watch.
Mad
Mentally ill; insane
He felt as if he were going mad
Sad
Feeling or showing sorrow; unhappy
They looked at her with sad, anxious faces
I was sad and subdued
Mad
Very angry
Don't be mad at me
Sad
Pathetically inadequate or unfashionable
The show is tongue-in-cheek—anyone who takes it seriously is a bit sad
Mad
Great; remarkable
This author has mad skills with the written word
I got mad respect for him
Sad
(of dough) heavy through having failed to rise.
Mad
Very; extremely
He was mad cool—we immediately hit it off
Sad
Showing, expressing, or feeling sorrow or unhappiness
A sad face.
Mad
Make (someone) mad
Had I but seen thy picture in this plight, it would have madded me
Sad
Causing sorrow or gloom; depressing
A sad movie.
Sad news.
Mad
Angry; resentful
Was mad about the broken vase.
Sad
Deplorable or inadequate; sorry
A sad state of affairs.
A sad excuse.
Mad
Mentally deranged
"afflicted with hypochondria, depression, and fear of going mad" (Carla Cantor).
Sad
Dark-hued; somber.
Mad
Characteristic of mental derangement
Mad laughter.
Sad
(heading) Emotionally negative.
Mad
Temporarily or apparently deranged by violent sensations, emotions, or ideas
Was mad with jealousy.
Sad
Feeling sorrow; sorrowful, mournful.
She gets sad when he's away.
Mad
Lacking restraint or reason; foolish
I was mad to have hired her in the first place.
Sad
Appearing sorrowful.
The puppy had a sad little face.
Mad
Feeling or showing strong liking or enthusiasm
Mad about sports.
Sad
Causing sorrow; lamentable.
It's a sad fact that most rapes go unreported.
Mad
Marked by a lack of restraint, especially by extreme excitement, confusion, or agitation
A mad scramble for the bus.
Sad
Poor in quality, bad; shameful, deplorable; later, regrettable, poor.
That's the saddest-looking pickup truck I've ever seen.
Mad
Exhibiting uncharacteristic aggressiveness, especially as a result of rabies, spongiform encephalopathy, or another neurological disease. Used of animals
A mad dog.
A mad cow.
Sad
Of colours: dark, deep; later, sombre, dull.
Mad
Excellent; wonderful
It's really mad that they can come.
Sad
(obsolete) Sated, having had one's fill; satisfied, weary.
Mad
Abundant; great
Mad respect.
Sad
(obsolete) Steadfast, valiant.
Mad
To make or become mad; madden.
Sad
(obsolete) Dignified, serious, grave.
Mad
Extremely; very
This place is mad cool.
Sad
(obsolete) Naughty; troublesome; wicked.
Mad
Insane; crazy, mentally deranged.
You want to spend $1000 on a pair of shoes? Are you mad?
He's got this mad idea that he's irresistible to women.
Sad
(slang) Unfashionable; socially inadequate or undesirable.
I can't believe you use drugs; you're so sad!
Mad
Angry, annoyed.
Are you mad at me?
Sad
(dialect) Soggy (to refer to pastries).
Mad
Bizarre; incredible.
It's mad that I got that job back a day after being fired.
Sad
(obsolete) Heavy; weighty; ponderous; close; hard.
Mad
Wildly confused or excited.
To be mad with terror, lust, or hatred
Sad
To make melancholy; to sadden or grieve (someone).
Mad
Extremely foolish or unwise; irrational; imprudent.
Sad
Sated; satisfied; weary; tired.
Yet of that art they can not waxen sad,For unto them it is a bitter sweet.
Mad
Extremely enthusiastic about; crazy about; infatuated with; overcome with desire for.
Aren't you just mad for that red dress?
Sad
Heavy; weighty; ponderous; close; hard.
His hand, more sad than lump of lead.
Chalky lands are naturally cold and sad.
Mad
(of animals) Abnormally ferocious or furious; or, rabid, affected with rabies.
A mad dog
Sad
Dull; grave; dark; somber; - said of colors.
Woad, or wade, is used by the dyers to lay the foundation of all sad colors.
Mad
Intensifier, signifying abundance or high quality of a thing; very, much or many.
I gotta give you mad props for scoring us those tickets.
Their lead guitarist has mad skills.
There are always mad girls at those parties.
Their lead guitarist has mad skills.
There are always mad girls at those parties.
Sad
Serious; grave; sober; steadfast; not light or frivolous.
Lady Catharine, a sad and religious woman.
Which treaty was wisely handled by sad and discrete counsel of both parties.
Mad
(of a compass needle) Having impaired polarity.
Sad
Affected with grief or unhappiness; cast down with affliction; downcast; gloomy; mournful.
First were we sad, fearing you would not come;Now sadder, that you come so unprovided.
The angelic guards ascended, mute and sad.
Mad
Intensifier; to a large degree; extremely; exceedingly; very; unbelievably.
He was driving mad slow.
It's mad hot today.
He seems mad keen on her.
Sad
Afflictive; calamitous; causing sorrow; as, a sad accident; a sad misfortune.
Mad
To be or become mad.
Sad
Hence, bad; naughty; troublesome; wicked.
Mad
To madden, to anger, to frustrate.
Sad
To make sorrowful; to sadden.
How it sadded the minister's spirits!
Mad
Disordered in intellect; crazy; insane.
I have heard my grandsire say full oft,Extremity of griefs would make men mad.
Sad
Seasonal affective disorder.
Mad
Excited beyond self-control or the restraint of reason; inflamed by violent or uncontrollable desire, passion, or appetite; as, to be mad with terror, lust, or hatred; mad against political reform.
It is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols.
And being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
Sad
Experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness;
Feeling sad because his dog had died
Better by far that you should forget and smile / Than that you should remember and be sad
Mad
Proceeding from, or indicating, madness; expressing distraction; prompted by infatuation, fury, or extreme rashness.
Mad wars destroy in one year the works of many years of peace.
The mad promise of Cleon was fulfilled.
Sad
Of things that make you feel sad;
Sad news
She doesn't like sad movies
It was a very sad story
When I am dead, my dearest, / Sing no sad songs for me
Mad
Extravagant; immoderate.
Sad
Bad; unfortunate;
My finances were in a deplorable state
A lamentable decision
Her clothes were in sad shape
A sorry state of affairs
Mad
Furious with rage, terror, or disease; - said of the lower animals; as, a mad bull; esp., having hydrophobia; rabid; as, a mad dog.
Mad
Angry; out of patience; vexed; as, to get mad at a person.
Mad
Having impaired polarity; - applied to a compass needle.
Mad
To make mad or furious; to madden.
Had I but seen thy picture in this plight,It would have madded me.
Mad
To be mad; to go mad; to rave. See Madding.
Festus said with great voice, Paul thou maddest.
Mad
An earthworm.
Mad
Roused to anger;
Stayed huffy a good while
She gets mad when you wake her up so early
Mad at his friend
Sore over a remark
Mad
Affected with madness or insanity;
A man who had gone mad
Mad
Marked by uncontrolled excitement or emotion;
A crowd of delirious baseball fans
Something frantic in their gaiety
A mad whirl of pleasure
Mad
Very foolish;
Harebrained ideas
Took insane risks behind the wheel
A completely mad scheme to build a bridge between two mountains
Common Curiosities
How can sadness affect one's health?
Chronic sadness can lead to depression, affecting both mental and physical health.
What are effective ways to calm down when feeling mad?
Deep breathing, taking a break, and discussing the issue calmly can help manage anger.
What causes someone to feel mad?
Feeling mad is often triggered by perceived wrongs, frustrations, or threats to one's interests.
Can being mad affect relationships?
Yes, frequent anger can lead to conflicts and strain relationships.
How do children typically express sadness?
Children might cry, cling to caregivers, or become unusually quiet when sad.
What is a healthy way to deal with sadness?
Talking to someone, engaging in activities one enjoys, and seeking professional help if needed are healthy ways to cope.
What psychological effects can prolonged sadness have?
Prolonged sadness can lead to depression and a pervasive sense of hopelessness.
Is it normal to feel both mad and sad at the same time?
Yes, complex situations can evoke mixed emotions, including both anger and sorrow.
What are some signs that someone is sad?
Signs include low energy, tearfulness, and a lack of interest in usual activities.
Are there any physical symptoms of being mad?
Physical symptoms can include a red face, tensed muscles, and clenching jaws.
Is there a biological purpose to feeling mad?
Anger can be a motivator to resolve conflicts or address problems.
Can sadness be beneficial in any way?
Experiencing sadness can lead to personal growth and increased empathy.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
