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
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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 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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of hysteria
Evan Minsker, Pitchfork, 4 Nov. 2024
The first trailer for the upcoming Beatles 64 documentary chronicling the band’s arrival on U.S. shores six decades ago captures the hysteria that greeted John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr all those years ago.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 18 Nov. 2024
Jen Murphy, Outside Online, 21 Oct. 2024
Later, her sister comforted my hysterical mother and washed the blood from between her legs and the dirt from her face and hair.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hysteria 
Noun
Thriller was arguably the biggest cultural moment of the 1980s, causing international hysteria and turning Jackson into the biggest star of the late 20th century.
—Evan Minsker, Pitchfork, 4 Nov. 2024
The first trailer for the upcoming Beatles 64 documentary chronicling the band’s arrival on U.S. shores six decades ago captures the hysteria that greeted John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr all those years ago.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 18 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Other forgettable sounds became hysterical, like a chicken clucking after Kevin Hart’s character explodes in Jumanji.
—Jen Murphy, Outside Online, 21 Oct. 2024
Later, her sister comforted my hysterical mother and washed the blood from between her legs and the dirt from her face and hair.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hysteria
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hysteria
Noun
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However, the football player dressed in a tuxedo surprised the London crowd on June 23 by picking up a crumpled Swift and sending the fandom into a frenzy.Bryan West, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024
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Gill, who gained fame by helping to start the meme-stock frenzy involving AMC and GameStop, posted to his 1.6 million followers on X, formerly Twitter, a version of Time magazine’s 2006 Person of the Year cover.Dade Hayes, Deadline, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Crandell, the Harvard physiatrist, is a funny, brainy, and upbeat clinician who treats people with amputations in the Spaulding Rehabilitation Center, a building overlooking Boston Harbor.Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
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An Instax camera snaps photos throughout the night, the shots progressively funnier the more nog is consumed.Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Still, some residents are worried about the drones.Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 14 Dec. 2024
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Lawmakers in New Jersey and beyond grew worried Friday about the now-regular spotting of drones over the state, with officials calling for answers and more transparency from federal agencies.The Hill, The Hill, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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When Martin dies in class after getting frightened in a dream, the sheet is accidentally pulled off of his gurney to reveal his death rictus.Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2024
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His fervor to determine who took the weapon reveals a shockingly monstrous side, turning his wife and children into frightened suspects and leading to a jarring tonal-shift ending that proves to be a cathartic, believable final destination for a film simmering with mistrust and anger.Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Nov. 2024
Noun
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From there, Blair goes on a rampage when her dad brings home his new boyfriend, and Serena seeks the perfect gift for Dan.Esther Zuckerman, TIME, 12 Dec. 2024
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Things took an intense turn in the finale when John and Jane were both convinced that the other had been instructed to kill them, leading them on a rampage through the streets of Manhattan.Jordana Comiter, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Injury updates The revolving door in John Worley’s training room has spun at a ridiculous pace lately.Michael Russo, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
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In response, Sweeney compiled a bunch of the most egregious—and, frankly, ridiculous—comments for an Instagram smackdown, posting them alongside behind-the-scenes videos of her intense Christy Martin training regiment.Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 14 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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That evening, in the no man’s land, a field strewn with empty water bottles, four Shia families sat on a picnic blanket around a burner attached to a gas tank, looking scared and drinking yerba mate.Eliza Griswold, The New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2024
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Once glued to their hiding spot, a scared cat may not come out when called by its owner.Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Based on the humorous writings of author Jean Shepherd, the beloved holiday movie follows the wintry exploits of youngster Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), who spends most of his time dodging a bully (Zack Ward) and dreaming of his ideal Christmas gift, a Red Ryder Air Rifle.Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 11 Dec. 2024
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And especially if the song comes from a musical comedy, then the lyrics are often humorous.Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Hysteria.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hysteria. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
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