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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hysterical
His almost-hysterical hilarity was contagious.
—
Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026
In addition to being a hysterical actor and writer, Wilson is a devout student of reality television and hosts the podcast Bitch Sesh about the Real Housewives franchise.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 24 Mar. 2026
Bailey, too, had a pretty hysterical reaction.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 21 Mar. 2026
Later in the day, Reductress editor Freddie Shanel hosted a hysterical examination of gender identity, family and relationships in the humor website's first SXSW comedy show.
—Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026
In addition to being a hysterical actor and writer, Wilson is a devout student of reality television and hosts the podcast Bitch Sesh about the Real Housewives franchise.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 24 Mar. 2026
Bailey, too, had a pretty hysterical reaction.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 21 Mar. 2026
Later in the day, Reductress editor Freddie Shanel hosted a hysterical examination of gender identity, family and relationships in the humor website's first SXSW comedy show.
—Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hysterical
Adjective
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Ike is also just so funny at playing desperate characters like Benny or Morgan Tookers on The Mindy Project.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2026
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That’s funny, because even though kids are on Chromebooks all day, most of them aren’t learning how to type!—
Austin Elias-de Jesus,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The health secretary grew defensive and visibly agitated.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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The Health secretary grew defensive and visibly agitated.—
Ali Swenson,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Fetch Foster Rescue has taken in animals from households whose homes were completely destroyed, and the organization’s immediate focus is keeping those frightened pets as relaxed as possible while storm cleanup continues across the community.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Apr. 2026
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Witnesses describe the dogs as frightened and wary rather than dangerous — a pair of scared animals looking for food, not a fight.—
Ryan Brennan
April 21,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
It’s based on an unconventional true story from recent history, set on the British Isles, with a tone that alternates between humorous and sorrowful before delivering an uplifting and humanist message, with skillfully invisible filmmaking that takes a backseat to the performances and story.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
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The humorous spot is part of a year-long effort by Disney to get audiences enthusiastic about its Super Bowl plans.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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An understandably distraught Irene walks to the park and tries to avoid June and Phil.—
Alice Burton,
Vulture,
20 Apr. 2026
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King is especially distraught in the season finale after learning that she'll be deposed again in a lawsuit against the ER — a suit and deposition that has burdened the doctor all season.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The pressures of fame and the pains of Michael’s brand of friendlessness are barely explored, beyond the requisite scenes of screaming fans crowding outside the family estate and a terrified Michael attempting to get away from them (while still politely waving).—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
21 Apr. 2026
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Meanwhile, Ashley takes some of the other women to her favorite beach, and Alicia, who is used to her country club, is terrified.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The character’s physicality, precision and comedic timing are rooted in Ortiz’s performance, mediated through puppetry and design in the same way a motion-capture performance is mediated through technology.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
21 Apr. 2026
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Best known for starring alongside Lil Dicky in the FX comedy Dave, Ko appears in the comedic thriller Drag, coming off its SXSW premiere, and has also recently been seen on the shows Ghosts and Loot.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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As Gritty closed the gap on the fleeing pair, the camera switched to his face — the only sound being frantic footsteps and the clicking of his googly eyes.—
Ryan Brennan
April 23,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
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Federal investigators revealed new details about last month's deadly collision between a regional Air Canada jet and a Port Authority maintenance truck at LaGuardia Airport, including a frantic series of apparent miscommunications in the seconds prior to the crash.—
Clara McMichael,
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hysterical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hysterical. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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