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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hysterical
The hysterical courtroom scene featuring Narducci, who plays Genovese’s wife, Anna, was one of the most entertaining parts of the 2-hour film.
—
Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
We’re meant to see Sarah, who at one point berates her ex-boyfriend and Eddington’s one Black cop, Michael (Micheal Ward), for participating in a system that oppresses him, as hysterical and self-serving.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 23 July 2025
The infant’s mother was hysterical as medics rushed the victim into an ambulance, neighbors said.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 22 July 2025
This hysterical homage to Sir Alfred Hitchcock is completely improvised and all based on audience suggestions.
—Jake Richardson, Mercury News, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
We’re meant to see Sarah, who at one point berates her ex-boyfriend and Eddington’s one Black cop, Michael (Micheal Ward), for participating in a system that oppresses him, as hysterical and self-serving.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 23 July 2025
The infant’s mother was hysterical as medics rushed the victim into an ambulance, neighbors said.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 22 July 2025
This hysterical homage to Sir Alfred Hitchcock is completely improvised and all based on audience suggestions.
—Jake Richardson, Mercury News, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hysterical
Adjective
-
Ramirez described Flores as a humble, funny and caring person.—
Gina Lee Castro,
jsonline.com,
24 Aug. 2025
-
Scattered Thoughts: The digs at 30 Seconds To Mars were funny and telling.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
At the same time, Powe is worried about the next time the river rises.—
Josh Wood,
The Courier-Journal,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Yet, even in states with budget surpluses, governors and legislators are worried about rising costs, particularly for Medicaid.—
Patrick Gleason,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
School staff gathered the students in the cafeteria during the lockdown and tried to keep the frightened kids calm, said a school employee who refused to give an Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reporter their name.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Investigators believe other potential victims may be too frightened to report similar attacks.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Drawing such conclusions from two, admittedly sparkling, performances is ridiculous.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
-
No Other Choice blends mismatched tones and genre hallmarks in a way that’s typical for Park and yet remains invigorating, leading to a ridiculous look at what happens when the system pushes a person to the very edge of desperation.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
When scared, dogs will likely make their body smaller, hunch over and try to move away.—
Dawn Kovell,
Mercury News,
19 Aug. 2025
-
Things were changing, and people—some people at least—were scared.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The film, written by Tony McNamara (The Favourite, The Great) and directed by Jay Roach (Meet the Parents, Bombshell), also comments on the observation that Brits are inherently better at insulting each other in a way that feels humorous or light-hearted as opposed to just outright cruel.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
25 Aug. 2025
-
The pair form an uneasy and sometimes humorous alliance while uncovering a drug ring revolving around a dangerous alien narcotic.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
One week later, Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino was distraught about how Attorney General Pam Bondi handled the release of information and even appeared ready to quit the bureau before tensions simmered down.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Aug. 2025
-
The judge ordered the government to respond to her petition by Friday, Aug. 8. MPR News requested an interview with Aguilar Maldonado, but Contreras Edin said the mother is currently too distraught to effectively communicate.—
Sarah Thamer,
Twin Cities,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Many years have passed, and when the three return home for their mother’s third wedding, each sister is dysfunctional in her own distinct, often amusing way.—
Gracie Wiener,
Air Mail,
16 Aug. 2025
-
One of the people who took notice of Sanders' standout performance was Browns general manager Andrew Berry, who congratulated the rookie on his NFL debut and shared an amusing exchange with him in the process.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hysterical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hysterical. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share