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
Yet another of the co-scripters, Rousouli amps up the Leonardo DiCaprio, perfect-hair, aw-shucks boyishness to hysterical funny heights.
—
Frank Rizzo, Variety, 13 Apr. 2026
During a January episode of Dinner’s On Me, the pair recalled the hysterical moment that the show’s casting director, Jeff Greenberg, walked directly into a glass wall near the show’s craft service area.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
Malcolm may desperately want to keep his distance from his family, but the 40th wedding anniversary of his parents has a gravitational pull, putting everyone on a collision course, albeit a hysterical one.
—ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
Even under the most hysterical scenarios, the internet provides nowhere near those levels of carnage.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Frank Rizzo, Variety, 13 Apr. 2026
During a January episode of Dinner’s On Me, the pair recalled the hysterical moment that the show’s casting director, Jeff Greenberg, walked directly into a glass wall near the show’s craft service area.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
Malcolm may desperately want to keep his distance from his family, but the 40th wedding anniversary of his parents has a gravitational pull, putting everyone on a collision course, albeit a hysterical one.
—ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
Even under the most hysterical scenarios, the internet provides nowhere near those levels of carnage.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hysterical
Adjective
-
Some of these flourishes are jarringly funny, others merely stop the film momentarily in its tracks.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
5 June 2026
-
People being all excited to be in an alliance that doesn't actually exist shouldn't be funny.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
If a bear approaches in a defensive manner (appears agitated and/or charges), stop.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
-
Trump loudly agitated for her release.—
Mark Barabak,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
The entries never become frightened.—
Kate Casey,
Vanity Fair,
2 June 2026
-
Fireworks set off without authorization in Rome reportedly triggered a mass stampede of frightened horses during a late-night rehearsal for Italy’s annual Republic Day parade, injuring multiple riders and animals.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
The actress, 52, shared a humorous Instagram Reel on Thursday, June 4.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
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As Fey said in an interview pegged to season one, the truth is humorous.—
Dana Feldman,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
Both Jesse and Ashley were emotionally distraught and crying throughout the video.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2026
-
The next night, Husband arrived for his shift looking shaky and distraught and breathing heavily.—
Dan Eaton,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
In the mid-2000s, people across America watched a man in a trench coat hand a chat-log transcript to a terrified suspect holding a six-pack of Mike’s Hard Lemonade.—
Toni Fitzgerald,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
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Three men in Hawaii were killed within 48 hours, leaving devastated families in mourning and a terrified community on edge as police hunt for the suspect.—
Amanda Musa,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
The comedic actors’ thread is just one of several Chiefs threads Riggle is on.—
Jeff Fedotin,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
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But besides the physical parameters, Peter Claffey and Dexter Ansell were able to capture the irreverent, comedic tone of showrunner Ira Parker’s scripts.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
The mother of 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro — who claimed her son had been kidnapped, kicking off a frantic search in the Inland Empire — now faces a lengthy prison sentence after admitting to charges related to her role in the infant’s disappearance and death.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
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While unfortunate, the frantic opening minutes of the second half highlighted a continuing issue for Miller.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hysterical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hysterical. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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