1
: a state in which your emotions (such as fear) are so strong that you behave in an uncontrolled way
A few of the children began to scream, and soon they were all caught up in the hysteria.
fits/attacks of hysteria
2
: a situation in which many people behave or react in an extreme or uncontrolled way because of fear, anger, etc.
Wartime hysteria led to many unfair accusations of treachery.
The spreading of the disease caused/produced mass hysteria in the village.
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“Hysteria.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/hysteria. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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