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
While the character of Ava is technically a millennial, her confrontations with Deborah are hysterical, and every struggling 20-something gets her grit.
—
Nikki Sternberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2025
The hysterical compilation has already garnered almost 135,000 likes and 869,000 views on Instagram.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
As revealed in a hysterical gag, the entire police force, including Paul Walter Hauser’s Capt Ed Hocken Jr, is the son or daughter of someone from the original cast.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 1 Aug. 2025
Based on Johnson’s cult Viceland series, this hysterical, death-defying time-travel caper earned a standing ovation and a coveted Midnighter Audience Award at this past spring’s SXSW.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Nikki Sternberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2025
The hysterical compilation has already garnered almost 135,000 likes and 869,000 views on Instagram.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
As revealed in a hysterical gag, the entire police force, including Paul Walter Hauser’s Capt Ed Hocken Jr, is the son or daughter of someone from the original cast.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 1 Aug. 2025
Based on Johnson’s cult Viceland series, this hysterical, death-defying time-travel caper earned a standing ovation and a coveted Midnighter Audience Award at this past spring’s SXSW.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hysterical
Adjective
-
Zambians are warm, funny, proud.—
Daniel Scheffler,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Darkly funny and deeply melancholic, the film turns the family estate into a pressure cooker of grief, grudges and reluctant affection.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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People should be joyful, not worried.—
Evan Webeck,
Mercury News,
7 Sep. 2025
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He’s not focused on the economy, which most Americans are worried about.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Using towels and a garden hose fitted with a piece of wood, the rescuers guided the frightened kitten through the winding pipes.—
Ronnie Li,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
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When 17 children from one classroom inexplicably run out into the night, a frightened insular community starts pointing fingers at their young schoolteacher (Julia Garner) and the sole survivor, Alex (Cary Christopher).—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But now, Netflix has deemed that almost any mildly or very successful show like Wednesday must now air its episodes in a 2+ month split, broken in half, or in some ridiculous instances, broken into thirds (see the November 26, December 25, December 31 split for Stranger Things season 5).—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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And on Sunday, the feat got even more ridiculous, as Chapman struck out four batters in an inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks, thanks to a wild pitch catcher Carlos Narváez couldn't corral.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This version of Frankenstein’s monster enters the world as a frightened newborn babe, scared and curious and desperate for human affection.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
9 Sep. 2025
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In fact, Vanngo wants everyone to keep in mind that makeup is meant to be played and experimented with, so don’t be scared to try a new look.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Ed and Lorraine are the beautiful, tragic saviors of a terrified family confronted with a deep evil, strengthened by the power of their love for each other.—
Emily Palmer Heller,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
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Parents are terrified, doctors are overwhelmed, and public confidence in our nation’s health leadership has collapsed.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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TikTok users flooded the comments with emotional and humorous reactions.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
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One humorous video created by comedian Jon Lajoie depicts Jesus sparring with the Easter Bunny in a podcast.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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As police secured the area with crime scene tape, distraught family members began arriving at the scene late Sunday night, according to police dispatch audio.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
8 Sep. 2025
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The mother thanked officers and ran from the apartment, distraught and inconsolable.—
Kristi Miller,
Twin Cities,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hysterical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hysterical. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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