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
Then Elizabeth’s sister Lydia (Jenna Coleman) shows up uninvited and hysterical; her still-caddish husband, George Wickham (Matthew Goode), had an argument with his friend Capt.
—
Culture Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
This was a Jean Paul Gualitier wrap that challenged traditional notions of how a top male soccer player should appear, sending the British tabloids into a hysterical spin.
—
Sheena McKenzie,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
Vomiting itself is a very expressive, hysterical—in the Freudian sense—act.
—
Lauren Michele Jackson,
New Yorker,
7 June 2026
So, too, did every woman who was told her version of events was hysterical, unreliable, too emotional to be credible — and wrote it down anyway.
—
Monica Lewinsky,
Rolling Stone,
19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Culture Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
This was a Jean Paul Gualitier wrap that challenged traditional notions of how a top male soccer player should appear, sending the British tabloids into a hysterical spin.
—
Sheena McKenzie,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
Vomiting itself is a very expressive, hysterical—in the Freudian sense—act.
—
Lauren Michele Jackson,
New Yorker,
7 June 2026
So, too, did every woman who was told her version of events was hysterical, unreliable, too emotional to be credible — and wrote it down anyway.
—
Monica Lewinsky,
Rolling Stone,
19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hysterical
Adjective
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This scene is funny as well as poignant because Albert was played by the late Rob Reiner.
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But while there are occasionally funny moments, these movies are emblematic of the dumbing down of America.
Adjective
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Pitman grew even more agitated.
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Players grew agitated having to wait, but James was sending a message to Irving and the rest of his teammates.
Adjective
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Rodríguez acknowledged that many remain too frightened to return home even after inspections declared some buildings safe.
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Some days are spent inside an Ebola Treatment Unit caring for patients who are frightened, isolated, and desperately ill.
Adjective
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As the search continued, humorous posts imagining where Gracie might show up next spread across social media.
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Today, the Himalayan blackberry stands as a humorous rejection of Burbank’s attempt at complete human control.
Adjective
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Her son was too distraught to speak on Sunday.
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Caitlin Clark appeared emotionally distraught during a postgame news conference after the Indiana Fever's 113-96 loss to the Atlanta Dream and archrival Angel Reese.
Adjective
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Sunday, June 21, at a home in LaGrange, and the suspect’s 2-year-old daughter was among the terrified witnesses, the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office said in court documents.
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Psilocybin, in particular, appears to be highly effective for helping people with terminal illnesses feel less terrified of dying.
Adjective
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The aliens will be voiced by British comedic actors Rob Brydon, Diane Morgan and Jamie Demetriou.
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His specific visual language — off-kilter, comedic, collaborative — scored him legions of fans.
Adjective
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The number of casualties is expected to climb with thousands reported missing and frantic rescue efforts continuing.
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The Chinese color research is being fueled by a frantic trend in its domestic car market where black is definitely this year’s color of choice.
Cite this Entry
“Hysterical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hysterical. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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