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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hysterical
His almost-hysterical hilarity was contagious.
—
Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026
In addition to being a hysterical actor and writer, Wilson is a devout student of reality television and hosts the podcast Bitch Sesh about the Real Housewives franchise.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 24 Mar. 2026
Bailey, too, had a pretty hysterical reaction.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 21 Mar. 2026
Later in the day, Reductress editor Freddie Shanel hosted a hysterical examination of gender identity, family and relationships in the humor website's first SXSW comedy show.
—Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026
In addition to being a hysterical actor and writer, Wilson is a devout student of reality television and hosts the podcast Bitch Sesh about the Real Housewives franchise.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 24 Mar. 2026
Bailey, too, had a pretty hysterical reaction.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 21 Mar. 2026
Later in the day, Reductress editor Freddie Shanel hosted a hysterical examination of gender identity, family and relationships in the humor website's first SXSW comedy show.
—Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hysterical
Adjective
-
Plus, some of my stickers are just funny.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Big-hearted and sharply funny, Lucy Schulman is a charming comedic coming-of-age story from multihyphenate Tribeca alum Ellie Sachs.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The contrast between the bookish judge, lauded during his confirmation for his reverence of legal precedents, and the agitated, outspoken figure of recent years was especially noticeable to old friends and supporters.—
Peter S. Canellos,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
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The second time, Bridgman called a My Health My Resources of Tarrant County crisis line after Fraraccio became agitated.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Soapy Water Stink bugs tend to drop when frightened, so fill a cup with soapy water and hold it under the stink bug.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
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Their height and heft frightened and thrilled spectators, earning dinosaurs a permanent place in the public imagination, Coules said.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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This is distinct from writing that is humorous, the stuff that will give you a wry smile at best.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The team of Bob Mortimer, Aisling Bea, and Sally Phillips sang a song that playfully mocked Rosalind, but the team of Nish Kumar and Mark Watson—whose performances had been hilariously scattershot that season—delivered a sweet, self-effacing, and humorous song that took everyone by surprise.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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An understandably distraught Irene walks to the park and tries to avoid June and Phil.—
Alice Burton,
Vulture,
20 Apr. 2026
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King is especially distraught in the season finale after learning that she'll be deposed again in a lawsuit against the ER — a suit and deposition that has burdened the doctor all season.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Though American Pie was all fun and games once the cameras started rolling, Shannon Elizabeth recalls being pretty terrified while trying to land a part in the hit ʼ90s comedy.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Apr. 2026
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Another video, filmed inside the bus and shared on TikTok, captured the terrified screams of students who were riding the bus at the time.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Some users shared comedic takes on the matter, while others shared their own anecdotes of similar situations.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
12 Apr. 2026
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Magnussen stars in the comedic bit (watch it HERE), which touts the availability of AMC+ (and The Audacity) at no extra charge for select Charter Spectrum customers.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Emergency crews rushed to the Lincoln Village Apartments Wednesday night after a frantic 911 call reported a child had fallen out a window.—
Aaron Parseghian,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Mr Cobra opens like a dark, cobwebbed staircase leading into a vast and foreboding space, all frantic flute and piano, creaks, and bone-chilling screeches (not to mention a slutty monologue seemingly communicated via Google Translate).—
Hattie Lindert,
Pitchfork,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hysterical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hysterical. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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