as in frenzy
a state of wildly excited activity or emotion
the hysteria of the mother when she realized that she had lost her four-year-old son in the crowd
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 hysteria
Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
Complicating matters is the charismatic doomsday preacher who is quickly leading the small town to the verge of hysteria.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026
Jeffrey Pierre, NPR, 17 Mar. 2026
The singer then broke down in hysterical laughter, falling onto the table in front of her and shoving her microphone away.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hysteria
Noun
A week-plus into the military efforts, overnight March 8-9, premarket trading mass hysteria spurred Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, and West Texas Intermediate, a domestic American benchmark, both to nearly $120 per barrel.
—Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
Complicating matters is the charismatic doomsday preacher who is quickly leading the small town to the verge of hysteria.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
With the games dripping out, one at a time, the entire planet is focused on a single match while it is being played, all the eyes of the world resting on twenty-two elite athletes acting out a sporting telenovela, living making decisions without a script, under conditions of hysterical pressure.
—Jeffrey Pierre, NPR, 17 Mar. 2026
The singer then broke down in hysterical laughter, falling onto the table in front of her and shoving her microphone away.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hysteria
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hysteria
Noun
-
Here are six ways fans can join the local World Cup frenzy in the coming weeks, including one exhibit that’s already open.—
Dan Kelly
March 29,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The same frenzy has taken hold online.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Why the Vaping Squirrels Trend Is Dangerous The viral clips might look funny, but the reality is far less cute.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The explanation is kind of funny, but also very much a seasonal sign of renewal on the barrier islands.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Iannarelli explained that a core element of de-escalation is projecting calmness, as individuals often mimic those who appear angry and agitated.—
Evonne Andris,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Jackson allegedly appeared to be in a highly agitated state and was moving erratically and mumbling, police body camera footage shows.—
Kellie Love,
Hartford Courant,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Chesney became frightened, scaled the enclosure wall and hopped over the fence.—
Hannah Kirby,
jsonline.com,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Scared and frightened, the only way to relieve the pain is to sell.—
,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Officers rushed to the scene in a popular shopping center after receiving an emergency call reporting a rampage by a knife-wielding man.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
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Three men ages 30, 43 and 69, along with three women ages 30, 49 and 79 suffered minor injuries in the rampage, police said.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In the early 1990s, Stuart Smalley's humorous affirmations on SNL highlighted the power of self-coaching, a concept supported by psychologist Ethan Kross, who suggests that addressing oneself in the second person can alleviate anxiety and improve problem-solving by fostering a broader perspective.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
27 Mar. 2026
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The unexpected may have a humorous twist.—
Dave Duffey,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The perpetrators often looked down at the floor or straight ahead as approximately 30 victim impact statements were read – most from young female victims, but also from distraught parents and Janine Swinehart, the prosecuting attorney.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2026
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The victim’s grieving brother was too distraught to talk to reporters.—
Julian Roberts-Grmela,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Recently, Kristen chased a terrified family with young children up a nearby stairway.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
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But since the arrival of the feds, families had grown too terrified to leave home.—
Daniel Brook,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hysteria.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hysteria. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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