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
Malcolm may desperately want to keep his distance from his family, but the 40th wedding anniversary of his parents has a gravitational pull, putting everyone on a collision course, albeit a hysterical one.
—
ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
Even under the most hysterical scenarios, the internet provides nowhere near those levels of carnage.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
Even under the most hysterical scenarios, the internet provides nowhere near those levels of carnage.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hysterical
Adjective
-
Jon Rahm is one of the best handful of golfers in the world, and, in media availability and his infrequent YouTube golf appearances, is thoughtful, funny and personable.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
-
Semple’s writing is warm and absurdly funny but also occasionally devastating—as when, roughly midway through the book, Adora digresses into recalling her experiences writing for a comedy show in the 1990s.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
According to the outlet, the victim became agitated after taking a significant quantity of drugs.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
7 May 2026
-
His knuckles tapped an agitated beat on the steering wheel along to soft jazz playing on the radio.—
‘Pemi Aguda,
Literary Hub,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
The woman who found Nado said the feline appeared frightened but was in overall good health, according to the news outlet.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
8 May 2026
-
Those children hadn’t seemed frightened to me, not visibly anyway.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
The telling is harrowing, but also humorous at times, and achieves an emotional register that had me, essentially, transfixed.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
Suspicious government officials are sent to investigate, resulting in a sequence of humorous, often laugh-out-loud encounters.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Cho's sister Anny, who was too distraught to appear on camera, told CBS News Chicago that her brother worked primarily in finance but worked for Uber on the side.—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
-
When a chance encounter with a distraught stranger on a subway goes horribly wrong, Reacher is drawn into a complex and deadly game that pits him against ruthless foes from the highest echelons of power.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
The four lead the group of terrified and tiny boys, some who look as young or four- or five-years-old.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
-
Aliens, dystopian nightmares, and twisted realities are more than likely provoking a reaction from viewers that flies a lot closer to terrified.—
Grace Dean,
Space.com,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
But there doesn’t seem to be a limit to younger film and TV connoisseurs’ thirst for his irreverent and unapologetically gay comedic stylings.—
Elaina Patton,
IndieWire,
12 May 2026
-
Louis-Dreyfus is, of course, best known for her comedic talents.—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
There was no explosion, no frantic hissing, or toxic plume.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
-
Bahm’s somewhat-frantic conversation with the dispatcher abruptly turned into bloodcurdling screams.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hysterical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hysterical. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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