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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of hysterical
The post drew hysterical reaction from viewers.
—
Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
So the method here is to co-opt the hysterical semiotics of alt-righters for sickle supremacy.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025
The escalating, hysterical hijinks are grounded in convincing dramatic stakes, and only our comic heroes are allowed to be funny, as the monster actors dutifully honor the hammy seriousness of their characters.
—Rory Doherty, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025
On the other side, there was just as much commotion, but these conversations were almost hysterical — and far uglier.
—Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
So the method here is to co-opt the hysterical semiotics of alt-righters for sickle supremacy.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025
The escalating, hysterical hijinks are grounded in convincing dramatic stakes, and only our comic heroes are allowed to be funny, as the monster actors dutifully honor the hammy seriousness of their characters.
—Rory Doherty, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025
On the other side, there was just as much commotion, but these conversations were almost hysterical — and far uglier.
—Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hysterical
Adjective
-
Anyone vaguely near the aesthetic gets christened it by fans, including Bassvictim, who were always funnier and more creative than the other modern electroclash revivalists.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The performance is funny and manic and just the right amount of sad and desperate.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
But Colcord kept probing, and Lowell grew agitated.—
Michael Waters,
New Yorker,
3 Jan. 2026
-
Players from both teams shoved in front of the Providence bench, with Jones stepping in the middle as an agitated Ejiofor exchanged words with Powell.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
3 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Nearly a week later, Scott and Kodi Allred, a couple traveling to visit their son at the University of Northern Colorado, saw the frightened black dachshund darting along the same stretch of road near Elk Mountain.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Sometimes, a frightened reaction is inexplicable.—
The Atlantic Culture Desk,
The Atlantic,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Delhomme’s answer, by turns humorous and insightful, is worth listening to.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Jan. 2026
-
These items feel sentimental and humorous (in an endearing, nostalgic way).—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Johnson was distraught last week, after falling just short in his first start of the season, against Dallas.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Nearly a week since the killings, family members of the beloved couple have set up a fundraiser for the distraught children.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Dramatic body cam video shows a terrified boy was being held by the throat when his knife-wielding captor was killed by a deputy, the Florida investigators say.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The disaster forced terrified guests and hotel staff to leap from windows or dangle bedsheets to escape rooms engulfed in smoke and flames.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Adventurous cinephiles came to worship his enveloping dramas, and directors like Jim Jarmusch and Gus Van Sant were heavily influenced by his contemplative style and underappreciated deadpan comedic style.—
Tim Grierson,
Rolling Stone,
6 Jan. 2026
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Vinnie Dakota and Balthazar Cavendish, voiced respectively by Povenmire and Marsh, provide some of the best comedic moments from the series.—
Stephanie Ganz,
Parents,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Marissa’s frantic initial attempts to find him and figure out what happened create a suspenseful, frightening opening.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Nov. 2025
-
As the family's frantic search begins, the media is quick to point the finger at Marissa and her friend, Jenny Kaminski (Fanning), whose nanny, Carrie Finch (Sophia Lillis), becomes the prime suspect.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hysterical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hysterical. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
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