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 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
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Recent Examples of hysterical
The infant’s mother was hysterical as medics rushed the victim into an ambulance, neighbors said.
—
Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 22 July 2025
This hysterical homage to Sir Alfred Hitchcock is completely improvised and all based on audience suggestions.
—Jake Richardson, Mercury News, 21 July 2025
Dutton’s wife and children crouched down on the floor of the car, but Dutton’s oldest son, 7 years old, was hysterical and kept trying to crawl out of the car.
—Sally Ventura
june 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
In her almost 50 years in the role, Marlena’s trials and tribulations have included falling out of a window, hysterical amnesia, kidnapping, being targeted by serial killers, being replaced by an unhinged lookalike, and, most famously, two demonic possessions.
—Victoria Edel, People.com, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 22 July 2025
This hysterical homage to Sir Alfred Hitchcock is completely improvised and all based on audience suggestions.
—Jake Richardson, Mercury News, 21 July 2025
Dutton’s wife and children crouched down on the floor of the car, but Dutton’s oldest son, 7 years old, was hysterical and kept trying to crawl out of the car.
—Sally Ventura
june 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
In her almost 50 years in the role, Marlena’s trials and tribulations have included falling out of a window, hysterical amnesia, kidnapping, being targeted by serial killers, being replaced by an unhinged lookalike, and, most famously, two demonic possessions.
—Victoria Edel, People.com, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hysterical
Adjective
-
Charlie Brown has evolved into something nicer In those days, Charles M. Schulz’s comic and its characters were meaner, the humor darker (and, frankly, funnier).—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
11 Aug. 2025
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However, Perry apparently didn’t find the post funny.—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, however, didn’t necessarily appear worried when asked what joint practices taught him about his cornerbacks.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
17 Aug. 2025
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Many were worried about stripping precipitation out of a cloud and robbing people downstream of rain.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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But Wall Street doesn't seem as frightened of tariffs anymore.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
29 July 2025
-
As of Monday afternoon, Dickson still wasn’t sure whether someone punched through the window, or if her frightened dog, who heard numerous rounds of shots fired throughout the afternoon, tried to break free.—
Sofi Zeman
July 28,
Kansas City Star,
28 July 2025
Adjective
-
These movies are brilliantly written, but above all will do anything to get a laugh, no matter how silly, how absurd, how ridiculous — how stupid.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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The video wraps with a ridiculous post-credits scene from the wedding reception, featuring Sheeran in a full wedding dress, totally committed to the waltz choreography.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
When a United Airlines flight issued a mayday call shortly after departure, passengers onboard were doubtlessly scared.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
5 Aug. 2025
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Ball also claimed in the new interview that Anne, now 74, was not scared of him.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Donkey provided comic relief, pathos and friendship to Shrek, with the film praised for its humorous twist on fairy-tale tropes.—
Aaron Couch,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Aug. 2025
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This humorous and heartfelt novel traces a decade in the couple’s life together — and Coralie’s own journey toward self-discovery.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Belly is distraught with all the wedding planning, Conrad explains.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
13 Aug. 2025
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But when reports appear in the paper implicating Lizzy in an affair, Nan is distraught and recruits her mom, Patricia St. George (Christina Hendricks) for help.—
Maureen Lee Lenker Published,
EW.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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More Getty Images What made his Saturday round at Sedgefield Country Club more amusing was the birdie surge.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Aug. 2025
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Also, the British themselves are generally strange and amusing.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hysterical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hysterical. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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