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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hysterical
The tone is never hysterical, either.
—
Lela London, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Though, from a distance, our hysterical laughter could be interpreted as such.
—Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 29 Jan. 2026
Every paradigm-shifting invention is met with a hysterical reaction.
—Charlie Dektar, New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2026
The biggest news organization in Minnesota is trying to serve as the sober counterweight to hysterical social media posts, swarming videos, political conflict, and public statements that contradict observable facts.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Lela London, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Though, from a distance, our hysterical laughter could be interpreted as such.
—Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 29 Jan. 2026
Every paradigm-shifting invention is met with a hysterical reaction.
—Charlie Dektar, New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2026
The biggest news organization in Minnesota is trying to serve as the sober counterweight to hysterical social media posts, swarming videos, political conflict, and public statements that contradict observable facts.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hysterical
Adjective
-
Driven out of the family mansion, mother and child relocate to the less auspicious Belleville, New Jersey — one of the film’s few genuinely funny touches — where Mary whiles away her days in the employ of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
-
In what was an otherwise pretty gripping and funny first episode, Tribal Council was kind of a dud.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Marcee Gray, the defendant’s estranged wife who struggled with drug and alcohol addiction, testified their son was riddled with anxiety, easily agitated and had panic attacks.—
Maxime Tamsett,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Now the piano has something to play against, slinking, leaping, whipping, and swiveling like an agitated shark in a tank of impassive harmonies.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In a crisis, Tori puts those life-saving skills to use, transforming from a frightened and threatened young woman into a fierce warrior.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Slowly round your back toward the ceiling, tucking your chin slightly and drawing your belly button in (like a frightened cat).—
Stephanie Anderson Witmer,
Health,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In a humorous Facebook post earlier this week, the South Fulton Police Department, based in Metro Atlanta, claimed people were calling them about the public spat.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Even though there are at least one hundred people on this floor, colorful cubicle walls, and plenty of humorous art (a mug shot of Bill Gates from his arrest in Albuquerque is a favorite), the room is disturbingly quiet.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The family of the victim is distraught.—
Conor Wight,
CBS News,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Andrew was photographed in a car as he was being driven back to Wood Farm in Sandringham, looking extremely distraught.—
StyleCaster Editors,
StyleCaster,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Some expats echo the confidence; others are terrified, sleeping in cars in garages, and scanning for the nearest exits.—
Manal Albarakati,
semafor.com,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Mrie’s angry and terrified family shunned her.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Varley’s elevation this season is a wonderful turn for Ashbourne, an icon of British film, TV, and theater who has long been one of Bridgerton’s most consistently comedic presences.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The clash unfolds with comedic innuendos as both models inadvertently start to flirt with the same man, Charlie, the owner of the location where the photoshoot for the brand takes place.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Put anybody on the spot and ask them to name something quickly, your brain just goes frantic.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
25 Feb. 2026
-
In the few short months leading up to its wide release, the filmmakers behind Grey Gardens were in a frantic state of damage control.—
Rosemary Counter,
Vanity Fair,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hysterical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hysterical. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
