hysterical
adjective
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Definition of hysterical
1 : of, relating to, or marked by hysteria hysterical conditions
2 : feeling or showing extreme and unrestrained emotion hysterical fans … the paper did not hesitate to appeal to racial passions in hysterical headlines and rabid editorials. — The New Yorker
3 informal : very funny a hysterical movie/joke
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Other Words from hysterical
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adverb
Synonyms & Antonyms for hysterical
Synonyms
afraid, aghast, alarmed, fearful, frightened, horrified, horror-struck, scared, scary, shocked, spooked, terrified, terrorized
Antonyms
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Examples of hysterical in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Social media’s echo chambers have given the issue particularly hysterical and toxic undertones. — Karina Piser, The New Republic, "Inside France’s Growing Identity War," 29 May 2018 There actually aren’t a lot of highlights, but there is hysterical footage of Robinson towering over high schoolers and rejecting shots into the crowd. 24. — Andrew Perloff, SI.com, "2018 NBA Mock Draft: The YouTube Edition," 20 June 2018 Read hysterical stories on Italy’s political gyrations and supposedly catastrophic debt. — Ken Fisher, USA TODAY, "Investors: Why you shouldn't worry that rates will rise," 10 June 2018 My daughter was hysterical; convinced without a tooth the tooth fairy would never come to visit her. — Kristen Hellmer, USA TODAY, "3 parenting fails I hope to laugh about later," 6 July 2018 Rodriguez left the apartment and the woman called two friends, hysterical and crying. — John Tedesco, San Antonio Express-News, "Ballet San Antonio dancer faces sexual assault charges," 1 June 2018 Meanwhile, Kate found her father-in-law's situation to be quite hysterical as evidenced by her giggling in the background. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "Kate Middleton Couldn't Stop Laughing at Prince Charles's Wardrobe Malfunction at the RAF Flypast," 10 July 2018 Doctors and lawyers who have visited the shelters in South Texas’ Rio Grande Valley said the facilities were fine, clean and safe, but the children — who have no idea where their parents are — were hysterical, crying and acting out . — Washington Post, "At least 3 “tender age” shelters set up for child migrants," 21 June 2018 Doctors and lawyers who have visited the shelters said the facilities were fine, clean and safe, but the kids -- who have no idea where their parents are -- were hysterical, crying and acting out. — Fox News, "Obama security chief Napolitano saw separating families at border as 'bad idea,' she says," 20 June 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hysterical.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for hysterical
hysterical
adjectiveKids Definition of hysterical
1 : feeling or showing extreme and uncontrolled emotion hysterical laughter … the sight of blood really makes him hysterical.— Jack Gantos, Joey Pigza Loses Control
2 : very funny Your joke was hysterical.
hysterical
adjective
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Medical Definition of hysterical
: of, relating to, or marked by hysteria during hysterical conditions various functions of the human body are disordered— Morris Fishbein
Other Words from hysterical
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adverb
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