Synonyms of hysterical

hysterical

adjective

hi-ˈster-i-kəl 

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

• funny
• humorous
• comedic
• amusing
• comical
• ridiculous
• comic
• hilarious
• entertaining
• screaming
• ludicrous
• farcical
• laughable
• uproarious
• riotous
• witty
• playful
• antic
• droll
• risible
• killing
• chucklesome
• sidesplitting
• humoristic
• zany
• clownish
• slapstick
• laughing
• flippant
• merry
• waggish
• jocular
• whimsical
• slapsticky
• mad
• facetious
• diverting
• flip
• gleeful
• jokey
• wry
• jolly
• jovial
• mirthful
• priceless
• campy
• knockabout
• smart
• rich
• jocose
• smart-aleck
• smart-alecky
• pert
• snickery
• jocund
• blithesome

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• serious
• lame
• humorless
• severe
• earnest
• tragic
• solemn
• unfunny
• somber
• unamusing
• grave
• staid
• sober
• poignant
• sedate
• unsmiling
• unhumorous
• unhysterical
• weighty
• sad
• moving
• uncomic
• touching
• tearful
• sorrowful
• mournful
• affecting
• no-nonsense
• lachrymose
• woeful
• sobersided

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

• agitated
• distraught
• frantic
• worried
• frightened
• scared
• terrified
• delirious
• upset
• frenzied
• distracted
• horrified
• anxious
• alarmed
• troubled
• nervous
• disturbed
• distrait
• aghast
• perturbed
• beside oneself
• crazed
• maniacal
• demented
• deranged
• fearful
• mad
• spooked
• ballistic
• tense
• berserk
• nuclear
• disquieted
• wrought (up)
• terrorized
• affrighted
• raving
• ranting
• raging

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• collected
• composed
• calm
• recollected
• peaceful
• serene
• unhysterical
• tranquil
• placid
• self-possessed
• self-composed
• undisturbed
• cool
• unperturbed
• untroubled
• self-possessed
• unshaken
• self-collected
• unworried
• coolheaded

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

• frightened
• terrified
• afraid
• scared
• horrified
• shocked
• alarmed
• fearful
• worried
• aghast
• scary
• upset
• spooked
• panicked
• startled
• nervous
• affrighted
• horror-struck
• appalled
• terrorized
• anxious
• panicky
• apprehensive
• timid
• disturbed
• agitated
• phobic
• perturbed
• timorous
• tremulous
• shrinking
• panic-stricken
• jumpy
• jittery
• fainthearted
• disquieted
• disconcerted
• fearsome
• uneasy
• funky
• cautious
• wary
• shy
• careful
• dismayed
• cowardly
• coward
• chicken
• craven
• pusillanimous
• intimidated
• unnerved
• cowed
• gutless
• skittish
• daunted
• tremulant
• unadventurous
• prudent
• heedful
• lily-livered

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fearless
• spirited
• daring
• adventurous
• unafraid
• audacious
• bold
• heroic
• spunky
• brave
• courageous
• gutsy
• plucky
• venturesome
• dashing
• daredevil
• intrepid
• valiant
• sure
• hardy
• gallant
• confident
• collected
• valorous
• cool
• composed
• adventuresome
• stalwart
• unperturbed
• stout
• sanguine
• venturous
• assured
• manful
• dauntless
• undaunted
• resolute
• stouthearted
• lionhearted

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hysterical

And true to the franchise, the new movie is both hysterical and heartwarming, while still dealing with some mature, timely themes that will resonate with parents especially. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 18 June 2026

Parker was caught by a state trooper who pulled her over for driving erratically, but Parker was hysterical and maintained that the baby was hers. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026

Pantochino Productions, the singularly silly, strange and hysterical small theater company that has worked out of the Milford Arts Council (MAC) for the past 16 years, occupies a unique place in the Connecticut theater landscape. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2026

Then Elizabeth’s sister Lydia (Jenna Coleman) shows up uninvited and hysterical; her still-caddish husband, George Wickham (Matthew Goode), had an argument with his friend Capt. — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026