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
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
Bailey, too, had a pretty hysterical reaction.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
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
Bailey, too, had a pretty hysterical reaction.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hysterical
Adjective
-
This leads us on an intimate, and at times funny, journey of self-discovery and missteps told in five chapters over the course of a critical year in Robin’s life.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
7 May 2026
-
And there are some funny moments along the way, such as a scene in which Miranda tries to hang up her coat, having been told to stop throwing it at her assistants.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
The antipsychotic drug chlorpromazine, derived from a clothing dye called methylene blue, was first tested on agitated and delusional patients in 1952.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
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Trump has long agitated for changes at CNN, and few expect his Justice Department to block the transaction.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 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
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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
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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
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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
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The key cabin crew are flight attendants Penny (Lucy Barrett) and Zoe (Na Shi), both of whom demonstrate bravery, to different ends, and show caring attention to the terrified children.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
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Though Ridley Scott works in a drastically different tone than the one John Carpenter brought to Dark Star, the two films share screenwriter Dan O’Bannon’s darkly comedic view of a future that has reduced humans to alternately bored and terrified cogs in larger machines.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The satirical elements, the rhythm of the show, and the sparkling performances of our cast and guest stars have always had a comedic bent.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
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Taccone, similarly, clearly has the talent to make all kinds of interesting comedic movies, but seems in search of the best outlet.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
There was no explosion, no frantic hissing, or toxic plume.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
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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 13 May. 2026.
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