hysterical

adjective

hi-ˈster-i-kəl How to pronounce hysterical (audio)
variants also hysteric
Definition of hystericalnext
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

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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 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 See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hysterical
  1. funny
  2. agitated
  3. frightened
  4. humorous
  5. distraught
  6. terrified
  7. comedic
  8. frantic
Adjective
  • Bitingly funny in its comedy and wistful in its drama, the film rests on the delicate performance of newcomer Verma, a diminutive, age-appropriate actor who molds Ilyas in captivating ways.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026
  • There are also funny cameos from Pete Davidson and Bobby Cannavale, both used well.
    — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of funny
Adjective
  • Clancy became agitated, but never fully woke up once given the Narcan, which is typically used to treat heroin or fentanyl overdoes, Constanzo noted.
    — Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
  • Costanzo said Clancy became agitated, reaching out her arms, but never woke up.
    — Kristina Rex, CBS News, 30 July 2026
Definition of agitated
Adjective
  • Perreault-Magny said frightened and flustered migrants sometimes try to climb into his unmarked patrol pickup, mistaking it for a smuggler coming to collect them.
    — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 29 July 2026
  • Meanwhile, the people standing beside the robot look frightened.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of frightened
Adjective
  • In July, Roku made the city even more interactive with a new brand campaign that guides users to visit six themed areas featuring humorous promo spots, including a pirate ship, a volcano and a villain’s evil lair.
    — Pat Saperstein, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The Black Seed writers are abrasive, wistful, humorous, and loaded with insight.
    — The Atlantic, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of humorous
Adjective
  • Leaving the Door Open For More S Pen fans were distraught when Samsung removed support for its beloved stylus from the Z Fold 7 in 2025.
    — Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 22 July 2026
  • Laertes becomes deeply distraught over his son’s two-decade absence, a grief that had already claimed his wife, Odysseus’ mother, Anticlea.
    — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 20 July 2026
Definition of distraught
Adjective
  • As their captors sought cover, the terrified children were ordered to stay and shoot down the jets over the capital, Khartoum.
    — Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Fuelled by unhinged online hate and anti-Israel extremism, total violent hate crimes skyrocketed by 97% since 2022, forcing terrified Jewish communities around the world into hiding.
    — Staff, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of terrified
Adjective
  • The series continues its winning blend of high-octane action choreography and comedic friction between elite wealth and police bureaucracy.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The actor used his newfound clout to make 2006’s Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny, a movie based on his comedic two-man rock outfit with Kyle Gass.
    — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 31 July 2026
Definition of comedic
Adjective
  • Dallas Caton’s bass-heavy production lays the foundation for the frantic and propulsive record.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026
  • Over the course of one frantic, late-July weekend, 98 teens representing all 50 states put their busy lives on hold to try to do something remarkable.
    — Cory Turner, NPR, 30 July 2026
Definition of frantic

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Cite this Entry

“Hysterical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hysterical. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of hysterical for Spanish Speakers

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