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 agitated
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hysterical
The post drew hysterical reaction from viewers.
—
Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
So the method here is to co-opt the hysterical semiotics of alt-righters for sickle supremacy.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025
The escalating, hysterical hijinks are grounded in convincing dramatic stakes, and only our comic heroes are allowed to be funny, as the monster actors dutifully honor the hammy seriousness of their characters.
—Rory Doherty, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025
On the other side, there was just as much commotion, but these conversations were almost hysterical — and far uglier.
—Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
So the method here is to co-opt the hysterical semiotics of alt-righters for sickle supremacy.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025
The escalating, hysterical hijinks are grounded in convincing dramatic stakes, and only our comic heroes are allowed to be funny, as the monster actors dutifully honor the hammy seriousness of their characters.
—Rory Doherty, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025
On the other side, there was just as much commotion, but these conversations were almost hysterical — and far uglier.
—Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hysterical
Adjective
-
Anyone vaguely near the aesthetic gets christened it by fans, including Bassvictim, who were always funnier and more creative than the other modern electroclash revivalists.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The performance is funny and manic and just the right amount of sad and desperate.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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On a tech podcast released last weekend, Altman appeared to grow agitated when host Brad Gerstner asked how OpenAI would fund the commitments given current revenues.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
6 Nov. 2025
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Lairmore, one of only two witnesses called, testified that officers perceived a potential threat from an agitated Dunn.—
Andrew Goudsward,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Nearly a week later, Scott and Kodi Allred, a couple traveling to visit their son at the University of Northern Colorado, saw the frightened black dachshund darting along the same stretch of road near Elk Mountain.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Sometimes, a frightened reaction is inexplicable.—
The Atlantic Culture Desk,
The Atlantic,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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There can be humorous, self-deprecating responses.—
Rob Tanner,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
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While on the podcast, Kiyoko also offered humorous insight into her summer proposal to fiancé Tilley, 37, in Mallorca after seven years of dating.—
Lex Goldstein,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Cameras showed Spoelstra pulling up to the house and looking distraught, according to WSVN-TV in Miami.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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In footage from local station WPLG-TV, Spoelstra, 55, was at the scene, looking distraught as firefighters battled the flames.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Dramatic body cam video shows a terrified boy was being held by the throat when his knife-wielding captor was killed by a deputy, the Florida investigators say.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
3 Nov. 2025
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The disaster forced terrified guests and hotel staff to leap from windows or dangle bedsheets to escape rooms engulfed in smoke and flames.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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It’s been 48 years since Three’s Company brought together three zany roommates — who weren’t supposed to be living together, according to the landlord’s rules — who charmed the world with their comedic antics.—
Julie Tremaine,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
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Ingmar Bergman’s early-fifties soap commercials put daring methods—metafiction, animation, and even a 3-D parody—to comedic ends.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Marissa’s frantic initial attempts to find him and figure out what happened create a suspenseful, frightening opening.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Nov. 2025
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As the family's frantic search begins, the media is quick to point the finger at Marissa and her friend, Jenny Kaminski (Fanning), whose nanny, Carrie Finch (Sophia Lillis), becomes the prime suspect.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hysterical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hysterical. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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