variants
also hysteric
1
as in funny
causing or intended to cause laughter
some of the things little kids come out with are hysterical
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in agitated
feeling overwhelming fear or worry
the police officer assured the mother that there was no need to get hysterical, for most missing children are found safe and sound
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in frightened
filled with fear or dread
upon hearing the announcement that a shark had been sighted, hysterical beachgoers raced out of the water
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hysterical
Wilfred Paloma steals all his scenes as Castor, a flamboyant and frequently hysterical Starbucks worker who has been not so secretly in love with Curtis for years.
—
Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2025
The premiere builds to an extended parody of sorts, both haunting and hysterical at once, and its black yet bubbly sense of humor only spreads from there.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025
On June 7, 2021, Murdaugh placed a hysterical 911 call to report that Maggie and Paul had been shot to death near the dog kennels on his family’s sprawling Lowcountry hunting estate.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Barnett’s 7- and 8-year-old boys in the backseat became hysterical.
—Bracey Harris, NBC news, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2025
The premiere builds to an extended parody of sorts, both haunting and hysterical at once, and its black yet bubbly sense of humor only spreads from there.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025
On June 7, 2021, Murdaugh placed a hysterical 911 call to report that Maggie and Paul had been shot to death near the dog kennels on his family’s sprawling Lowcountry hunting estate.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Barnett’s 7- and 8-year-old boys in the backseat became hysterical.
—Bracey Harris, NBC news, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hysterical
Adjective
-
The language is also often inviting, sometimes funny, like a real person telling you a real story from their real voice and body.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Still, the over-the-top direction the episode goes in did lead to plenty of funny moments off-camera.—
Sabienna Bowman,
PEOPLE,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Cowboys tussle with agitated horses.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
20 Jan. 2026
-
The central figures of the fountain feature Oceana (also known as Neptune), along with Triton with an agitated horse, and Triton with a calm horse.—
Marina Watts,
PEOPLE,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The article quotes two current professors but doesn’t explore why other faculty members critical of the school were too frightened to speak on the record in what Corcoran described as a campus finally open to different opinions.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Freedom from fear mattered because frightened societies are easily manipulated.—
Philip Martin,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Dozens of Dilbert books were published over 30 years, including anniversary compendiums and humorous self-help guides, like 1998’s The Joy of Work.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The new teaser starts off serious and somber, much like the past trailers for Captain America, Thor and the X-Men, but then has a humorous moment when the Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) introduces himself to M’Baku (Winston Duke).—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
There seems to be an emotional disconnect between their characters, as Anne appears somewhat distraught, while H arington's character looks much more at ease.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Michael Lynch, 62, went to New York Presbyterian-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital on Wednesday with his wife, worried about pressure in his head and tingling in his hands, his distraught spouse told the Daily News.—
Rebecca White,
New York Daily News,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But there’s plenty of agonized screaming, as well as lots of closeups of terrified faces.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
14 Jan. 2026
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As Arnoldo’s undocumented father, Arnulfo Bazan Carrillo, drove off, the terrified teenager began filming on his phone.—
Nicole Foy,
ProPublica,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
McMahan, who maintained a following of over 120,000 on Instagram, was known online for his comedic videos, sharing content about his life in Memphis.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
20 Jan. 2026
-
In the bawdy comedic scene, Tommy wakes up au natural in his hotel bed after an amorous evening with his wife, Angela Norris (Ali Larter), to find a shocked housekeeper in the hotel room.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
As the family's frantic search begins, the media is quick to point the finger at Marissa and her friend, Jenny Kaminski (Elle Fanning), whose nanny, Carrie Finch (Sophia Lillis), becomes the prime suspect.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
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The dialogue is rooted in these testimonies, capturing the authentic prayers, words of comfort, and frantic internal debates that occurred as the staff navigated the complex military and bureaucratic hurdles required to dispatch an ambulance.—
Robert Lang,
Deadline,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hysterical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hysterical. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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