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 agitated
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
Vomiting itself is a very expressive, hysterical—in the Freudian sense—act.
—
Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 7 June 2026
So, too, did every woman who was told her version of events was hysterical, unreliable, too emotional to be credible — and wrote it down anyway.
—Monica Lewinsky, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
Kid Sistr are absolutely hysterical as their addictive social media proves.
—Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 13 May 2026
But knowing Olson’s proclivity for slipping up in hysterical fashion made the match that much more appealing.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 7 June 2026
So, too, did every woman who was told her version of events was hysterical, unreliable, too emotional to be credible — and wrote it down anyway.
—Monica Lewinsky, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
Kid Sistr are absolutely hysterical as their addictive social media proves.
—Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 13 May 2026
But knowing Olson’s proclivity for slipping up in hysterical fashion made the match that much more appealing.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hysterical
Adjective
-
Other members of the cast contribute some sharp edges and moments that are legitimately funny.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
-
Someone’s losing their dignity, and that’s funny.—
Jesse David Fox,
Vulture,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
According to witnesses interviewed by local police, Hall became agitated after taking a significant quantity of drugs.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
-
That was intentional, as a smiling Caballero admitted to enjoying the moment after the warning left him perplexed and agitated.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
After the arrests, children in her van became frightened and initially refused to get out.—
Racquel Bazos,
Baltimore Sun,
11 June 2026
-
Flavia Pupo, a manager at a hotel in Pinar del Río, told AP that the shaking rattled the building and frightened people in the area.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
The title is a humorous, literal reference to the late father’s large piece of bone left after cremation.—
Jenny S. Li,
Variety,
12 June 2026
-
Their viral, humorous videos about his adventures in life and their father-daughter moments are followed by more than 3 million people.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
In a heartbreaking scene outside the residence, as captured on video by ABC 7, family members are seen wailing and distraught, surrounded by police cars and neighbors.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
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With the departure of Mohan, fans are understandably distraught at the prospect of having to say goodbye to their fan-favorite Zoomer, too.—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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Because the road into Hunt was unpassable, the Childresses were forced into a monstrous kind of purgatory among other terrified parents at Ingram Elementary School.—
Karen Valby,
Vanity Fair,
16 June 2026
-
Her 9-year-old daughter was terrified.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
The Oreo challenge is one of the episode’s comedic high points.—
Tasha Robinson,
Vulture,
16 June 2026
-
The production is a deeply personal look at her life and career, inspired by her beloved grandmother, Freddie Mae Glover, and her lifelong dream of becoming a comedic performer like her idol, Carol Burnett.—
Staff Author,
Southern Living,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
Here’s a recap of this week’s frantic pace.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
20 June 2026
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McKenna's death gained national attention after her disappearance in the middle of the night set off a frantic search for the teenager.—
Angela George,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hysterical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hysterical. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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