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
Lead skiing announcer Dan Hicks had just the right tone of concern without hysterical overreaction.
—
John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
O’Hara’s third collaboration with Guest’s troue took aim at the world of folk music, centering a reunion concert that featured hysterical original tunes, including one that Levy and O’Hara performed on the Oscars.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
Fans at my screening howled as ex-con maid Sydney Sweeney and desperate housewife Amanda Seyfried waged their hysterical suburban war.
—Judy Berman, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
Though, from a distance, our hysterical laughter could be interpreted as such.
—Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
O’Hara’s third collaboration with Guest’s troue took aim at the world of folk music, centering a reunion concert that featured hysterical original tunes, including one that Levy and O’Hara performed on the Oscars.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
Fans at my screening howled as ex-con maid Sydney Sweeney and desperate housewife Amanda Seyfried waged their hysterical suburban war.
—Judy Berman, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
Though, from a distance, our hysterical laughter could be interpreted as such.
—Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hysterical
Adjective
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Accidentally running face-first into your mom’s butt is funny, no matter your species.—
Popular Science Team,
Popular Science,
20 Mar. 2026
-
At work, while reporting near a looming tornado, Clark meets Floyd (played with a touching, funny pathos by David Harbour), a sign-language interpreter.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The lights stayed on through the night, and the constant noise of patrolling guards left him agitated and afraid.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
13 Mar. 2026
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Guglielmo Vicario’s form in goal has been erratic, Pedro Porro looks agitated, while James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski have not played a single minute this season due to long-term knee injuries.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Mara looks aptly frightened and confused, or maybe that was just my own face reflected in the screen.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
18 Mar. 2026
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Try Visual Deterrents Birds are easily frightened, so adding colorful flags that wave in the wind may keep them from landing on your lawn and dining on your grass seed.—
Michelle Mastro,
The Spruce,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Gosling and Ortiz’s dynamic — equal parts humorous, tense and genuinely moving — gives the film its emotional core, providing the leading man with a scene partner who draws out some of his most spontaneous and effective acting moments.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
21 Mar. 2026
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The exaggerated, humorous tributes to his legendary toughness started in the early 2000s and went viral.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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With Mendez at gunpoint, the distraught driver was allowed to get out of her car.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
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But instead, the young bride was wandering the streets of London in the June heat, frustrated and distraught.—
Moira Donegan,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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As Archangel Michael, Devyn Wade is both boyishly sweet and terrified as a devil’s advocate, cautiously questioning God’s decisions and her history of killing the innocent.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
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Everyone is terrified but grateful for this gift Ennis and Gary have given them.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Incorporating magical realism into the comedic and, at times, poignant overtones can be a tricky feat, but Devantez and company do it with great craft and care.—
Courtney Howard,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
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Adapted from a Norwegian-language film from director Tommy Wirkola, this movie needs a director who can smoothly shift from silly to sadistic within a single scene, and Jaccone’s broad comedic sensibilities aren’t up to the task.—
Katie Rife,
IndieWire,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Azzouzi received a frantic call to come down.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
19 Mar. 2026
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The story follows a man who takes his sprawling family on a frantic one-day pilgrimage to nine Buddhist temples after hearing a prophecy that his elderly mother may not have long to live.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hysterical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hysterical. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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