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
And the hysteria over the centers seemed to be not as much about freedom, or competing educational philosophies, or politics at all, as about an ever-shrinking pot of money.
—
Ann Manov,
Harpers Magazine,
30 June 2026
From causing supernatural events to creating hysteria, our orbiting nightlight has always had legends and folktales written about it.
—
Taylor Grothe,
Parents,
28 June 2026
Daily tales of war and violence around the world made one want to clench one’s fists, grit one’s teeth, and to shout out in a paean of outraged hysteria.
—
Zehra Jumabhoy,
Artforum,
25 June 2026
It was judged to be some sort of mass hysteria.
—
Voice Of The People,
New York Daily News,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hysteria
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Ann Manov,
Harpers Magazine,
30 June 2026
From causing supernatural events to creating hysteria, our orbiting nightlight has always had legends and folktales written about it.
—
Taylor Grothe,
Parents,
28 June 2026
Daily tales of war and violence around the world made one want to clench one’s fists, grit one’s teeth, and to shout out in a paean of outraged hysteria.
—
Zehra Jumabhoy,
Artforum,
25 June 2026
It was judged to be some sort of mass hysteria.
—
Voice Of The People,
New York Daily News,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hysteria
Cite this Entry
“Hysteria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hysteria. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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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