Synonyms of hysteria

hysteria 1 of 2

noun

hi-ˈster-ē-ə 

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

• frenzy
• rampage
• rage
• delirium
• agitation
• fury
• fever
• furor
• furore
• flap
• uproar
• feverishness
• confusion
• distraction
• deliriousness
• chaos
• turmoil
• disorder
• pandemonium
• commotion
• havoc
• bedlam
• stir
• brouhaha
• disturbance
• hullabaloo
• clamor
• hubbub
• to-do
• tumult
• tempest
• ruckus
• bustle
• rumpus
• clatter
• storm
• fuss
• hoo-ha
• squall
• ruction
• hurly-burly
• shindy
• stew
• bother

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calm
• still
• peace
• calmness
• tranquility
• serenity
• quietude
• quiet
• placidity
• stillness
• peacefulness
• restfulness
• repose
• sereneness
• tranquilness

hysterical

2 of 2

adjective

hi-ˈster-i-kəl 

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

• funny
• humorous
• comedic
• amusing
• comical
• ridiculous
• comic
• hilarious
• entertaining
• screaming
• ludicrous
• farcical
• laughable
• uproarious
• riotous
• witty
• playful
• antic
• droll
• risible
• killing
• chucklesome
• sidesplitting
• humoristic
• zany
• clownish
• slapstick
• laughing
• flippant
• merry
• waggish
• jocular
• whimsical
• slapsticky
• mad
• facetious
• diverting
• flip
• gleeful
• jokey
• wry
• jolly
• jovial
• mirthful
• priceless
• campy
• knockabout
• smart
• rich
• jocose
• smart-aleck
• smart-alecky
• pert
• snickery
• jocund
• blithesome

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• serious
• lame
• humorless
• severe
• earnest
• tragic
• solemn
• unfunny
• somber
• unamusing
• grave
• staid
• sober
• poignant
• sedate
• unsmiling
• unhumorous
• unhysterical
• weighty
• sad
• moving
• uncomic
• touching
• tearful
• sorrowful
• mournful
• affecting
• no-nonsense
• lachrymose
• woeful
• sobersided

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

• agitated
• distraught
• frantic
• worried
• frightened
• scared
• terrified
• delirious
• upset
• frenzied
• distracted
• horrified
• anxious
• alarmed
• troubled
• nervous
• disturbed
• distrait
• aghast
• perturbed
• beside oneself
• crazed
• maniacal
• demented
• deranged
• fearful
• mad
• spooked
• ballistic
• tense
• berserk
• nuclear
• disquieted
• wrought (up)
• terrorized
• affrighted
• raving
• ranting
• raging

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• collected
• composed
• calm
• recollected
• peaceful
• serene
• unhysterical
• tranquil
• placid
• self-possessed
• self-composed
• undisturbed
• cool
• unperturbed
• untroubled
• self-possessed
• unshaken
• self-collected
• unworried
• coolheaded

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

• frightened
• terrified
• afraid
• scared
• horrified
• shocked
• alarmed
• fearful
• worried
• aghast
• scary
• upset
• spooked
• panicked
• startled
• nervous
• affrighted
• horror-struck
• appalled
• terrorized
• anxious
• panicky
• apprehensive
• timid
• disturbed
• agitated
• phobic
• perturbed
• timorous
• tremulous
• shrinking
• panic-stricken
• jumpy
• jittery
• fainthearted
• disquieted
• disconcerted
• fearsome
• uneasy
• funky
• cautious
• wary
• shy
• careful
• dismayed
• cowardly
• coward
• chicken
• craven
• pusillanimous
• intimidated
• unnerved
• cowed
• gutless
• skittish
• daunted
• tremulant
• unadventurous
• prudent
• heedful
• lily-livered

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fearless
• spirited
• daring
• adventurous
• unafraid
• audacious
• bold
• heroic
• spunky
• brave
• courageous
• gutsy
• plucky
• venturesome
• dashing
• daredevil
• intrepid
• valiant
• sure
• hardy
• gallant
• confident
• collected
• valorous
• cool
• composed
• adventuresome
• stalwart
• unperturbed
• stout
• sanguine
• venturous
• assured
• manful
• dauntless
• undaunted
• resolute
• stouthearted
• lionhearted

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hysteria

Noun

And the hysteria over the centers seemed to be not as much about freedom, or competing educational philosophies, or politics at all, as about an ever-shrinking pot of money. — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026

From causing supernatural events to creating hysteria, our orbiting nightlight has always had legends and folktales written about it. — Taylor Grothe, Parents, 28 June 2026

Adjective

And true to the franchise, the new movie is both hysterical and heartwarming, while still dealing with some mature, timely themes that will resonate with parents especially. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 18 June 2026

Parker was caught by a state trooper who pulled her over for driving erratically, but Parker was hysterical and maintained that the baby was hers. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026