variants
also hysteric
1
as in funny
causing or intended to cause laughter
some of the things little kids come out with are hysterical
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in worried
feeling overwhelming fear or worry
the police officer assured the mother that there was no need to get hysterical, for most missing children are found safe and sound
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in frightened
filled with fear or dread
upon hearing the announcement that a shark had been sighted, hysterical beachgoers raced out of the water
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of hysterical
That drew an immediate rebuke from Moscow, which dismissed Europe’s concerns as groundless and hysterical.
—
Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 22 Sep. 2025
Prior to their reanimation by Hope and her magic contract, the Tappers are in a state of almost-hysterical obsolescence.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
This sort of rhetoric only adds to the hysterical nature of contemporary politics, giving respectability to uncivilized behavior.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
My favorite hysterical characters in the movie were all played by a single actor, John Cleese, who continues to entertain and educate to this day.
—Tim Maurer, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 22 Sep. 2025
Prior to their reanimation by Hope and her magic contract, the Tappers are in a state of almost-hysterical obsolescence.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
This sort of rhetoric only adds to the hysterical nature of contemporary politics, giving respectability to uncivilized behavior.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
My favorite hysterical characters in the movie were all played by a single actor, John Cleese, who continues to entertain and educate to this day.
—Tim Maurer, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hysterical
Adjective
-
What follows is a dramedy that is simultaneously an anthropological examination of the film industry’s denizens and a disturbing — though often very funny — look at the fragility of identity in that world.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
25 Sep. 2025
-
My idea of funny is the English say the craziest things with a straight face.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The man, a legal researcher who lives legally in the United States, is worried he might be targeted by the federal government for speaking freely.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
28 Sep. 2025
-
As the day progressed though, Marsh became worried again.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The frightened campers are supposed to deliver the scares — but that only works as a set-up if the villain is lurking behind the next tree.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Republicans are frightened, too.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This is the most ridiculous robbery ever, Mirvat thought.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Summarize Text – Get a quick overview of a long email, article or contract and understand those ridiculous ‘Terms of Service’ agreements.—
Ken Colburn,
AZCentral.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Alolkoy, said despite the bear's small size and obviously scared state, the store quickly erupted in a chaotic scene.—
Rey Covarrubias Jr,
AZCentral.com,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Are players scared to talk about it publicly?—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Here, Johnny tries to go for it again with that same urgency, only for Gheorghe to insist on gentleness, tenderness, and yes, an actual first kiss, even as Johnny is visibly terrified.—
James Factora,
Them.,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Captains of industry all look terrified of pissing off the wrong powerful guy.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Barkov is the opposite of Tkachuk in personality, never the one with the humorous postgame quote or engaging TV soundbite.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The duo, who are known for their original and often humorous dance routines, will be repped by UTA across digital, theater and scripted (co-represented with Curtis Brown).—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The Alvord High School science teacher, who had told her students about feeding the sick kitten to the snake, gave three other kittens to a student who was distraught about the incident.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Sep. 2025
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Dorsett described the children as distraught by their father's detention and said his absence has created emotional and financial hardship.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hysterical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hysterical. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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