hysteric

1 of 2

noun

hys·​ter·​ic hi-ˈster-ik 

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

hysteric

2 of 2

less common spelling of hysterical sense 1

Examples of hysteric in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Tragedy is dealt with quietly, permeating the atmosphere, seldom leading to hysterics or scenes. —Literary Hub, 12 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

Again and again, however, antifa was dismissed by liberals and mainstream pundits as hysterics or radicals or extremists or worse: not even a thing. —Washington Post, 14 Jan. 2026

Still, the weird relationship hysterics in the film feel like something Cameron probably had a hand in creating, and there are some imaginative kills. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Dec. 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