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

Things got worse when the officer found her hysterical and covered in blood, with a cut umbilical cord coming out of her pants and an unresponsive baby in the car with her. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 26 June 2026

Even an audio engineer, ear pressed against the ultimate sound, could not have detected in my inner voice the famous hysterical note of a jealous woman. — Joyce Mansour, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026

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