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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of hysterical
The character of Jessi at the beginning was a little hysterical, stuck in her world, like a puppet.
—
Griselda Flores, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2024
Rachel Carson's critics depicted her as hysterical, mystical, and witchy.
Vampires
Haunted Places and Spaces
And Other Spooky Things
Editor’s note: This list is updated periodically, most recently on October 28, 2024.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 28 Oct. 2024
But enough for Trump and his followers to wave away their critics as hysterical.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2024
Phillips stuttered through hysterical sobs to tell Horner she’d been raped.
—Gina Barton, USA TODAY, 26 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hysterical 
Griselda Flores, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2024
Rachel Carson's critics depicted her as hysterical, mystical, and witchy.
Vampires
Haunted Places and Spaces
And Other Spooky Things
Editor’s note: This list is updated periodically, most recently on October 28, 2024.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 28 Oct. 2024
But enough for Trump and his followers to wave away their critics as hysterical.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2024
Phillips stuttered through hysterical sobs to tell Horner she’d been raped.
—Gina Barton, USA TODAY, 26 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hysterical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hysterical
Adjective
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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
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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
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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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
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At worst, this could lead to one or more Kent State-type incidents, with frightened Guardsmen in hostile, unfamiliar territory.Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The fall and early winter are generally quite crowded, but now things are getting a bit ridiculous.Paul Tassi, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
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Her family is loathsome, her lifestyle is ridiculous, and her job is a joke.Matt Kamen, WIRED, 30 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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One member of Sports Team caught part of the robbery on camera, including a sequence in which the band’s tour manager attempts to stop the crime but is scared off by a man with a gun.Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 5 Dec. 2024
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Emaciated and scared, someone had deliberately amputated all four of Zoe's paws as well as her ears.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 2 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
Adjective
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As the war goes on Lena is distraught, not knowing anything of what has become of him, not receiving any letters.Pete Hammond, Deadline, 6 Dec. 2024
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Rebecca De Mornay starred as a twisted widow who, distraught over losing her own baby, insinuates herself into a family as their nanny, with the ultimate goal of taking the kids and the husband for herself.Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Then as now, an annoying if slightly amusing portmanteau conjoining the films’ names hyped up prerelease awareness, helping to drive ticket sales.Chris Lee, Vulture, 25 Nov. 2024
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Some memories are amusing — Bonhoeffer’s visit to Black nightclubs and church services during a 1930s New York visit fuels his desire to make a joyful noise unto the Lord.Joe Leydon, Variety, 22 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near hysterical
Cite this Entry
“Hysterical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hysterical. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
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