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
-
To the contrary, though the film is frequently funny, Brewer takes their ambitions and reversals seriously.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Hockey is a funny game sometimes.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But Colcord kept probing, and Lowell grew agitated.—
Michael Waters,
New Yorker,
3 Jan. 2026
-
Players from both teams shoved in front of the Providence bench, with Jones stepping in the middle as an agitated Ejiofor exchanged words with Powell.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
3 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Nearly a week later, Scott and Kodi Allred, a couple traveling to visit their son at the University of Northern Colorado, saw the frightened black dachshund darting along the same stretch of road near Elk Mountain.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Sometimes, a frightened reaction is inexplicable.—
The Atlantic Culture Desk,
The Atlantic,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Delhomme’s answer, by turns humorous and insightful, is worth listening to.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Jan. 2026
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These items feel sentimental and humorous (in an endearing, nostalgic way).—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Johnson was distraught last week, after falling just short in his first start of the season, against Dallas.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Nearly a week since the killings, family members of the beloved couple have set up a fundraiser for the distraught children.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Understandably terrified, Scott-Miller closed the store to protect her and her family’s safety and peace of mind.—
Essence,
Essence,
7 Jan. 2026
-
When workers are terrified, turnover rises, productivity falls and long-term investment stalls.—
Anabel Mendoza,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Adventurous cinephiles came to worship his enveloping dramas, and directors like Jim Jarmusch and Gus Van Sant were heavily influenced by his contemplative style and underappreciated deadpan comedic style.—
Tim Grierson,
Rolling Stone,
6 Jan. 2026
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Vinnie Dakota and Balthazar Cavendish, voiced respectively by Povenmire and Marsh, provide some of the best comedic moments from the series.—
Stephanie Ganz,
Parents,
5 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 12 Jan. 2026.
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