hysteric

noun hys·ter·ic \ hi-ˈster-ik \

Updated on: 3 Apr 2018

Definition of hysteric

1 : a person subject to or suffering from hysteria

2 : an overemotional or unstable person

He's a sweet-natured hysteric who overresponds to every stimulus.
—Pauline Kael

— see also hysterics

See hysteric defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of hysteric from the Web

On January 31, 1999 there were computer-phobic hysterics who believed civilization would come to an end at midnight because giant servers somewhere would be unable to summon the number 2000.

— doug maccash, NOLA.com, "Why graffiti is absolutely the art of our era," 30 Mar. 2018
The post shows a photo in which the young mother climbed into the crib of her infant daughter, Luella, in the hopes of soothing her during a fit of hysterics.

— diana bruk, Redbook, "The Story Behind This Viral Photo of a Mother Sleeping In Her Baby's Crib Sends a Very Important Message," 4 May 2017
He was cast as a young Lando Calrissian in the upcoming Han Solo prequel (a single shot from the trailer of Glover sporting a fur coat and blinking sent the internet into hysterics).

— sophie gilbert, The Atlantic, "Atlanta and the Anxiety of Fame," 1 Mar. 2018
Bates-Diop hit the ensuing free throws with 14.7 seconds left and Andrew Dakich banked in a 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer to send the already-loud Ohio State crowd into hysterics as the Spartans retreated to their locker room trailing 41-29.

— chris solari, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan State's run atop polls likely 1-and-done, thanks to OSU rout," 7 Jan. 2018
Operating with a commanding lead, Kim didn’t choose a safe route, but landed back-to-back 1080s to send the audience into hysterics and secure her status as one of America’s new celebrities.

— the si staff, SI.com, "The Best, Worst and Weirdest Moments From Every Sport at the 2018 Olympic Games," 24 Feb. 2018
Though the mother of six received several comments, one specific reaction had fans and followers in hysterics.

— karen mizoguchi, PEOPLE.com, "Kim Zolciak-Biermann Shares Topless Vacation Photos with Husband Kroy — and Her Daughter Reacts!," 12 Feb. 2018
For more than a year now, half of America has been driven into hysterics on a weekly basis by highly selective, often partisan leaks fed to it in 900-word increments by Democrats using the political media.

— david harsanyi, National Review, "Be Cautious, but Take the Nunes Memo Seriously," 1 Feb. 2018
Pro-Trump Liberty goes from blonde to red - and works it! - but not before some tears and hysterics.

— joey guerra, Houston Chronicle, "'America's Next Top Model' recap:," 23 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hysteric.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.