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
No mumbling rap, no jams, just one unbroken, hysterical climb.
—
Timothy Crouse, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2025
A lot of it is not actually in the movie, but the things that [Andy] had the group leader saying were so hysterical.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 May 2025
Its final season became one of the most Emmy-nominated in history, as creator Jesse Armstrong concluded the story of the Roy family (at least for now) with a hysterical, moving run of episodes.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
The implosion that inevitably ensued was so boy-coded: dramatic, hysterical, and way too much.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Timothy Crouse, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2025
A lot of it is not actually in the movie, but the things that [Andy] had the group leader saying were so hysterical.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 May 2025
Its final season became one of the most Emmy-nominated in history, as creator Jesse Armstrong concluded the story of the Roy family (at least for now) with a hysterical, moving run of episodes.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
The implosion that inevitably ensued was so boy-coded: dramatic, hysterical, and way too much.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hysterical
Adjective
-
The Target jokes stopped being funny when, in 2023, right-wing social-media attacks on its Pride collection got so bad that the company pulled some of the items from its stores, citing threats to employees.—
Emma Sarappo,
The Atlantic,
25 June 2025
-
There’s definitely something funny going on with the Universe.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
As Republicans work to pass President Donald Trump's reconciliation bill by his July 4 deadline, many are worried about the changes that could be coming to Medicaid.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
30 June 2025
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But even in a Congress filled with newcomers, the memory of 2018 (and its electoral fallout for a beleaguered GOP) should be fresh enough to keep people worried.—
Joseph Thorndike,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
Instead, federal authorities are hiding, apparently too frightened of online provocateurs and in-person hecklers to do their duty in plain sight.—
Anita Chabria,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2025
-
Others who live close to the jail were downright frightened.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
But her physical discomfort, brain fog, and financial stress had made the idea of writing a novel seem ridiculous.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 June 2025
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The crowded panorama of ticktocking boxes is ridiculous and charming and absolutely unforgettable in its slightly manic demonstration of Japanese hobbyism.—
Jessica Kozuka,
Travel + Leisure,
29 June 2025
Adjective
-
All small business owners suffer financially when their employees are taken or too scared to come to work.—
Billal Rahman
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
-
An officer said the man was dehydrated, confused and scared when he was rescued, according to WBZ.—
Jillian Frankel,
People.com,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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In her recent appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers on Tuesday, June 24, the actress shared a humorous story about her children's reaction to her mullet haircut for the film.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
28 June 2025
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This independent pilot offers a humorous yet heartfelt look at modern Black adulthood.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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When a chance encounter with a distraught stranger on a train goes horribly wrong, Jack Reacher (Ritchson) is drawn into a complex and deadly game that pits him against ruthless foes from the highest echelons of power.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
26 June 2025
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Chuck was distraught, ranting on the Council floor about how unfair his premature ouster was.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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The amusing interaction comes a few days after Plum appeared to urge referees to give Clark, 23-years-old, a technical foul for stepping onto the court during the Sparks' game against the Indiana Fever on Thursday, June 26.—
Grace Jordan-Weinstein,
People.com,
30 June 2025
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Although many other theories were quite amusing on social media.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hysterical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hysterical. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
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