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
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Recent Examples of hysterical
First responders later described him as distraught, emotional, hysterical and in shock.
—
Shelly Bradbury, The Denver Post, 21 Mar. 2025
Hitting hot button issues with fresh insight and hysterical precision, Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele revealed themselves to be two of the best comedy writers in the business, leading to a Peabody Award, two Emmy Awards, and millions of fans.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025
Amina always looked forward to these reunions; she was allowed to be a tourist with her friends, speaking too-loud English, getting a little hysterical.
—Ayşegül Savaş, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2025
Lourd said she’s stoked for TV audiences to see just how hysterical Bomer is on Mid-Century Modern.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Shelly Bradbury, The Denver Post, 21 Mar. 2025
Hitting hot button issues with fresh insight and hysterical precision, Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele revealed themselves to be two of the best comedy writers in the business, leading to a Peabody Award, two Emmy Awards, and millions of fans.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025
Amina always looked forward to these reunions; she was allowed to be a tourist with her friends, speaking too-loud English, getting a little hysterical.
—Ayşegül Savaş, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2025
Lourd said she’s stoked for TV audiences to see just how hysterical Bomer is on Mid-Century Modern.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hysterical
Adjective
-
And makes a funny joke about giving Glenn Close an Oscar.—
Andy Hoglund,
EW.com,
13 Apr. 2025
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His being handsome, funny and not known for comedy was a real asset.—
Rosa Escandon,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
As the Trump administration makes major cuts to federal health agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, some Alzheimer's experts are worried about research for the brain-impairing disease being halted, which could impact treatment options and the lives of patients and their families.—
Sara Moniuszko,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2025
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The patient’s toe had been amputated because of an infection causing unbearable pain and Dr Shaik, a neurology resident overseeing her care was worried.—
Hansa Bhargava,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Hearts Melt At Moment 'Shut Down' Foster Dog Decides To Trust New Family By Rachael O'Connor Life and Trends Reporter Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member news article 0 Animal lovers' hearts have soared at the moment a frightened foster dog chose to trust the family in her new home.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Apr. 2025
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That takes some fortitude, when world trade is on the verge of collapse, consumers are frightened and businesses can’t plan anything.—
William Baldwin,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
This hate against transgender people is so ridiculous.—
John Russell,
People.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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But just a few hours southeast of the city lived a 14-year-old named Flannery O’Connor, who thought the spectacle was ridiculous.—
Ellen Wexler,
Smithsonian Magazine,
25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Three minors heard gunfire and believed they had been fired at, and were scared of being shot, wrote Sheriff’s Deputy Dave Walls.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Apr. 2025
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From an analytical perspective, many are going to be scared of the late breakout at a small school, which is a fair point.—
Steve Bradshaw,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The off-beat ads and humorous posters have only stoked fan conversation about what, exactly, this project is and what on earth is going on with the asterisk in the title.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
17 Apr. 2025
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Early implementations have experienced technical glitches, such as those occasionally seen in MLB's 3D broadcasts, which sometimes led to humorous but unintended visual effects.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Fans of the Land of Oz attraction in the North Carolina mountains were distraught over its sudden, announced closing on Friday.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Mar. 2025
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One of the men is visibly distraught.—
James Longman,
ABC News,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Six books offer readers armchair travel, amusing characters, and a dash of history.—
Yvonne Zipp,
Christian Science Monitor,
1 Apr. 2025
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Thankfully, in the case of Mark, the reality proved to be something much more amusing.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hysterical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hysterical. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
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