hysteric

1 of 2

noun

hys·​ter·​ic hi-ˈster-ik 

plural hysterics

1

: a person subject to or affected by hysteria

2

: an overemotional or unstable person

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

—Pauline Kael

see also hysterics entry 1

hysteric

2 of 2

less common spelling of hysterical sense 1

Examples of hysteric in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The next was his minor hysterics over Caleb’s interest in Kayda. — Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 22 June 2026

Even in those quiet hysterics which statued me unprovoked, my imagination had not conjured this rapid an unspooling. — Literary Hub, 27 Mar. 2026

But there are kinks that need to be worked out, including some plot hysterics (a burning of a house is too over the top) that throw it off its comedy tracks. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026

Viewer Reactions Instagram users flooded the video with hysterics over the unusual pet these workers found, and as of Tuesday, the clip reached over 82,000 likes and nearly 430 comments. — Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1654, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hysteric

• anti-hysteric

Rhymes for hysteric

• chimeric
• dimeric
• generic
• homeric
• numeric
• allosteric
• amphoteric
• anomeric
• atmospheric
• chromospheric
• climacteric
• congeneric

Medical Definition

hysteric

noun

hys·​ter·​ic his-ˈter-ik 

: an individual subject to or affected by hysteria