hysteria
noun
hys·te·ria
hi-ˈster-ē-ə 
-ˈstir-
-ˈstir-
1
: a psychoneurosis marked by emotional excitability and disturbances of the psychogenic, sensory, vasomotor, and visceral (see visceral sense 4) functions
2
: behavior exhibiting overwhelming or unmanageable fear or emotional excess
political hysteria
The plague had caused mass hysteria in the village.
Examples of hysteria in a Sentence
A few of the children began to scream, and soon they were all caught up in the hysteria.
Wartime hysteria led to many unfair accusations of treachery.
The spreading of the disease caused mass hysteria in the village.
Recent Examples on the Web
For much of the call, Mills leaned hard on federal deficit hysteria to justify spending cuts for essential public services his constituents rely on.
—
Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2025
But here, Clooney has recast himself as journalistic hero Edward R. Murrow, who in the early 1950s defied U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy and his efforts to stoke anti-communist hysteria through the media.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
This bias has deep historical roots, harkening back to perceptions of female hysteria.
—Shreyas Teegala, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Mar. 2025
There is no reason for mass hysteria but good reason for concern.
—Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hysteria
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Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2025
But here, Clooney has recast himself as journalistic hero Edward R. Murrow, who in the early 1950s defied U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy and his efforts to stoke anti-communist hysteria through the media.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
This bias has deep historical roots, harkening back to perceptions of female hysteria.
—Shreyas Teegala, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Mar. 2025
There is no reason for mass hysteria but good reason for concern.
—Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hysteria
Cite this Entry
“Hysteria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hysteria. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hysteria
noun
hys·te·ria
his-ˈter-ē-ə
-ˈtir-
-ˈtir-
1
: a nervous disorder marked by excitability of the emotions
2
: unmanageable fear or outburst of emotion
Medical Definition
hysteria
noun
hys·te·ria
his-ˈter-ē-ə
-ˈtir-
-ˈtir-
1
a
: a psychoneurosis marked by emotional excitability and disturbances of the psychic, sensory, vasomotor, and visceral functions without an organic basis
b
: a similar condition in domestic animals
2
: behavior exhibiting overwhelming or unmanageable fear or emotional excess
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