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
The men at the film’s center — Paul and Carey — are hysterical and self-involved.
—
Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
The rest of the body camera footage features interviews with the hysterical and grief-stricken friends and roommates of the victims being interviewed by police.
—Chris Spargo, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
While the character of Ava is technically a millennial, her confrontations with Deborah are hysterical, and every struggling 20-something gets her grit.
—Nikki Sternberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2025
The hysterical compilation has already garnered almost 135,000 likes and 869,000 views on Instagram.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
The rest of the body camera footage features interviews with the hysterical and grief-stricken friends and roommates of the victims being interviewed by police.
—Chris Spargo, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
While the character of Ava is technically a millennial, her confrontations with Deborah are hysterical, and every struggling 20-something gets her grit.
—Nikki Sternberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2025
The hysterical compilation has already garnered almost 135,000 likes and 869,000 views on Instagram.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hysterical
Adjective
-
Zambians are warm, funny, proud.—
Daniel Scheffler,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Darkly funny and deeply melancholic, the film turns the family estate into a pressure cooker of grief, grudges and reluctant affection.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Small business owners, who rely on social media to promote and sell their products, were especially worried with a busy festive season looming.—
Nir Kshetri,
The Conversation,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Parents are worried not just about getting food on the table, but whether that food is good for their kids.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Republicans are frightened, too.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Farima was withdrawn and frightened.—
Sarah Ferguson,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
But now, Netflix has deemed that almost any mildly or very successful show like Wednesday must now air its episodes in a 2+ month split, broken in half, or in some ridiculous instances, broken into thirds (see the November 26, December 25, December 31 split for Stranger Things season 5).—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
And on Sunday, the feat got even more ridiculous, as Chapman struck out four batters in an inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks, thanks to a wild pitch catcher Carlos Narváez couldn't corral.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This version of Frankenstein’s monster enters the world as a frightened newborn babe, scared and curious and desperate for human affection.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
9 Sep. 2025
-
In fact, Vanngo wants everyone to keep in mind that makeup is meant to be played and experimented with, so don’t be scared to try a new look.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In a recent video posted to the AI Bible's Youtube channel, buildings crumble and terrified-looking people claw their way through the rubble.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Ed and Lorraine are the beautiful, tragic saviors of a terrified family confronted with a deep evil, strengthened by the power of their love for each other.—
Emily Palmer Heller,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
TikTok users flooded the comments with emotional and humorous reactions.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
-
One humorous video created by comedian Jon Lajoie depicts Jesus sparring with the Easter Bunny in a podcast.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
As police secured the area with crime scene tape, distraught family members began arriving at the scene late Sunday night, according to police dispatch audio.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The mother thanked officers and ran from the apartment, distraught and inconsolable.—
Kristi Miller,
Twin Cities,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hysterical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hysterical. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share