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 worried
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
Creating comes natural to the Florida native, who burst onto the scene with hysterical videos on Vine, giving viewers a glimpse into his musical prowess.
—
Okla Jones, Essence, 25 Apr. 2025
The star leads a hysterical ensemble in the action-comedy Bride Hard, which marks a reunion for Wilson and her Pitch Perfect costar Anna Camp.
—Benjamin Vanhoose, People.com, 23 Apr. 2025
The film adaptation of the incredibly popular video game, A Minecraft Movie fell flat with critics with 48% on Rotten Tomatoes, but has been met with hysterical audience reactions thanks to memes that spread online before the film’s release.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Rachel Carson's critics depicted her as hysterical, mystical, and witchy.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Okla Jones, Essence, 25 Apr. 2025
The star leads a hysterical ensemble in the action-comedy Bride Hard, which marks a reunion for Wilson and her Pitch Perfect costar Anna Camp.
—Benjamin Vanhoose, People.com, 23 Apr. 2025
The film adaptation of the incredibly popular video game, A Minecraft Movie fell flat with critics with 48% on Rotten Tomatoes, but has been met with hysterical audience reactions thanks to memes that spread online before the film’s release.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Rachel Carson's critics depicted her as hysterical, mystical, and witchy.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hysterical
Adjective
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His translation recognizes, here and throughout, that the original is funny and compelling enough not to need elaborate explanation, even 60 years after its debut.—
Lily Meyer,
The Dial,
20 May 2025
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That’s not to say the film isn’t funny or sweet, but that there is something much more profound and uncomfortable at its heart, and one that poses a tricky challenge for first-time filmmakers Johansson and Kamen.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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However, because the pool was shallow, Lisberg was less worried.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
25 May 2025
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While Herzig is hoping to win a million dollars, his guests are all worried about their own various fantasy teams, mostly competing for a few hundred bucks.—
David Hill,
Rolling Stone,
24 May 2025
Adjective
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The frightened Maltese was swimming in circles, but Desalvo and his colleagues were able to pull her to safety.—
Rebecca White,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2025
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The first few attempts to free the dog failed, then the rescuers cleverly used a tarp to hoist the frightened animal to safety.—
Kendall Malinchock,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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Supreme Court justice calls it 'ridiculous' Trump cuts reach climate scientists who labored for free Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
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Scott Maxwell: The idea of Pam Bondi – who was dogged by ethics scandals in Florida and worked as a lobbyist for Qatar – serving as an ethics advisor on whether Donald Trump should accept a free plane from Qatar is ridiculous.—
Scott Maxwell,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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Well, Netflix has found another one of these aspirational gurus who are scared to die and are willing to go to extreme lengths to preserve their physique — at any cost.—
Rebecca Aizin,
People.com,
16 May 2025
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More news: 3 Dodgers Under Most Pressure to Perform Following Shocking Roster Move While some fans appeared to be understandably scared, many just remained in their seats, seemingly unaware of the animal scurrying around them.—
Noah Camras,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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It is meant to be instructional, philosophical, informative, uplifting, and sometimes humorous.—
Bob Carlson,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
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Galloway provides a perspective that’s at turns humorous and moving, giving new grads solid advice while entertaining them as well.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Simone initially doesn’t respond to the proposal, too distraught at the sudden ask and her estranged father’s presence.—
Francesca Gariano,
People.com,
24 May 2025
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In the rocket, a distraught Belinda explains to the robots that Alan bought the star, not her.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Although the result is certainly amusing, the Darth Vader creation has also been spotted making some potentially controversial comments using Jones’ voice.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
16 May 2025
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The sketch has a great ending stinger and is very amusing throughout.—
Rosa Escandon,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hysterical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hysterical. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
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