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 worried
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
Hopefully with the Dutch commentary, which adds to the sense of hysterical wonder.
—
The Athletic Uk Staff, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
In every way that Sassoon’s letter is clear-eyed and measured, Bove’s reply is weak and hysterical.
—Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2025
Media accused of 'fear-mongering' as Trump begins second term
Fox News contributor Joe Concha joined 'Fox & Friends First' to discuss the media's hysterical reaction to President Trump's inauguration day and his reaction to Biden's last-minute family pardons.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 21 Jan. 2025
There are several hysterical moments across the four episodes made available to critics.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
The Athletic Uk Staff, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
In every way that Sassoon’s letter is clear-eyed and measured, Bove’s reply is weak and hysterical.
—Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2025
Media accused of 'fear-mongering' as Trump begins second term
Fox News contributor Joe Concha joined 'Fox & Friends First' to discuss the media's hysterical reaction to President Trump's inauguration day and his reaction to Biden's last-minute family pardons.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 21 Jan. 2025
There are several hysterical moments across the four episodes made available to critics.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hysterical
Adjective
-
Know your audience—What one person finds funny, another might not.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
-
Not the most memorable, but Myers’s flail-laughing at his own insufferable jokes remains a pretty funny encapsulation of Musk’s self-satisfied riffing.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
About 47 million people faced an enhanced to moderate severe storm threat from Madison, Wis., to Birmingham, Ala. Forecasters grew increasingly worried that intense thunderstorms farther south will likely bring an even greater tornado threat Saturday.—
Sean Murphy and Russ Bynum,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Citi, which went to $430 a share from $490, is worried about increasing competition and slowing growth.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
And this week, there’s a very nice sequence in which Matty walks a frightened Zoey, step-by-step, through what to expect when she gets arrested.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Igor tries to subdue Ani, who's frightened and enraged, kicking and screaming at the prospect of being separated from her new husband.—
Mandalit del Barco,
NPR,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Even the most ridiculous forums make their expectations known.—
Adrienne LaFrance,
The Atlantic,
4 Mar. 2025
-
With its heightened dramas, overdone Die Hard references, and ridiculous plot turns, Paradise is pretty preposterous yet asks us to consider it as a sophisticated prestige drama.—
Jen Chaney,
Vulture,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
And people who are scared are less likely to want to stay here.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2025
-
For people fresh out of school, my advice as a lawyer is, don’t be scared to seek counsel but above all, don’t be scared to ask for things.—
Joelle Diderich,
WWD,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The talented cast of BET Plus’s hit show Sistas brings to life the heartfelt, relatable, and often humorous journey of modern Black women navigating love, friendship, and career.—
Noel Cody,
Essence,
7 Mar. 2025
-
Gercke is quite skilled at building characters and writing humorous and poetic dialogue.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The victim’s parents were too distraught to speak to reporters Wednesday.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
13 Mar. 2025
-
At the start of court Wednesday, a visibly distraught Lopes had a sidebar with White and prosecutors; following that meeting, White cleared the courtroom.—
Jakob Rodgers,
The Mercury News,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
But Schreck’s play is approachable, entertaining, amusing and thought-provoking.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Mar. 2025
-
Some comments on social media call the prank funny and amusing, while others condemned it as immature and gross.—
Emily Forlini,
PCMAG,
24 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hysterical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hysterical. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share