hysteria
noun
hys·te·ria
hi-ˈster-ē-ə 
-ˈstir-
-ˈstir-
1
: a psychoneurosis marked by emotional excitability and disturbances of the psychogenic, sensory, vasomotor, and visceral (see visceral sense 4) functions
2
: behavior exhibiting overwhelming or unmanageable fear or emotional excess
political hysteria
The plague had caused mass hysteria in the village.
Examples of hysteria in a Sentence
A few of the children began to scream, and soon they were all caught up in the hysteria.
Wartime hysteria led to many unfair accusations of treachery.
The spreading of the disease caused mass hysteria in the village.
Recent Examples on the Web
Our hearts go out to his family, but this should not have become a springboard for hysteria, partisanship, and meltdown.
—
Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 13 Sep. 2025
The race to find her killer and resulting city-wide hysteria captured the world's attention — and the murder remains unsolved nearly 70 years later despite numerous attempts to close the case.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2025
Even as the hysteria over the absurdist subgenre has slowed, Mosele said the characters have transcended the digital realm and become an indelible part of pop culture.
—Safiyah Riddle, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
Florio questioned Saban being bothered by the hysteria surrounding his potential return to the sidelines.
—Andrew Hughes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hysteria
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Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 13 Sep. 2025
The race to find her killer and resulting city-wide hysteria captured the world's attention — and the murder remains unsolved nearly 70 years later despite numerous attempts to close the case.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2025
Even as the hysteria over the absurdist subgenre has slowed, Mosele said the characters have transcended the digital realm and become an indelible part of pop culture.
—Safiyah Riddle, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
Florio questioned Saban being bothered by the hysteria surrounding his potential return to the sidelines.
—Andrew Hughes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hysteria
Cite this Entry
“Hysteria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hysteria. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hysteria
noun
hys·te·ria
his-ˈter-ē-ə
-ˈtir-
-ˈtir-
1
: a nervous disorder marked by excitability of the emotions
2
: unmanageable fear or outburst of emotion
Medical Definition
hysteria
noun
hys·te·ria
his-ˈter-ē-ə
-ˈtir-
-ˈtir-
1
a
: a psychoneurosis marked by emotional excitability and disturbances of the psychic, sensory, vasomotor, and visceral functions without an organic basis
b
: a similar condition in domestic animals
2
: behavior exhibiting overwhelming or unmanageable fear or emotional excess
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