1
as in agitated
feeling overwhelming fear or worry
we were delirious with anxiety when the boy failed to return home
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in frantic
marked by great and often stressful excitement or activity
rushing about in a delirious state during the holidays
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of delirious
The bwonnnngs on the soundtrack are an aural cliché now, but the whole delirious package still makes for one of the most thrilling movies of the 2010s.
—
Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026
Saltburn was a collection of delirious imagery that featured some incoherent aspirations toward class commentary.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 9 Feb. 2026
This sets off what looks to be a delirious search across Ireland and beyond to solve the mystery of her whereabouts.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 9 Feb. 2026
Cookie Fleck, O’Hara’s character in Best in Show, is an outstanding example of her comedic sensibility—a meld of physical comedy, deadpan affect, and delirious self-confidence—whose influence is all over the mock-interview segments of, say, Parks and Recreation.
—Paula Mejía, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for delirious
Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026
Saltburn was a collection of delirious imagery that featured some incoherent aspirations toward class commentary.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 9 Feb. 2026
This sets off what looks to be a delirious search across Ireland and beyond to solve the mystery of her whereabouts.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 9 Feb. 2026
Cookie Fleck, O’Hara’s character in Best in Show, is an outstanding example of her comedic sensibility—a meld of physical comedy, deadpan affect, and delirious self-confidence—whose influence is all over the mock-interview segments of, say, Parks and Recreation.
—Paula Mejía, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for delirious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for delirious
Adjective
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Iannarelli explained that a core element of de-escalation is projecting calmness, as individuals often mimic those who appear angry and agitated.—
Evonne Andris,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Jackson allegedly appeared to be in a highly agitated state and was moving erratically and mumbling, police body camera footage shows.—
Kellie Love,
Hartford Courant,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Szeemann’s two Venice Biennales followed a decade of frantic exhibition-making across the globe, by Szeemann himself and by young professionals proud to call themselves independent curators.—
Daniel Birnbaum,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
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Brooks, for his part, equivocated … A bout of frantic rebranding ensued.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The perpetrators often looked down at the floor or straight ahead as approximately 30 victim impact statements were read – most from young female victims, but also from distraught parents and Janine Swinehart, the prosecuting attorney.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2026
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The victim’s grieving brother was too distraught to talk to reporters.—
Julian Roberts-Grmela,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The furious finish, in a game played in the midst of wind gusts that made 40 degrees feel much colder as afternoon turned to evening, came after the Padres lost an early lead and then got it back again.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
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Texas battled back to within one possession late, but Betts’ block sealed it for a team that has come too far and endured too much to be bothered by even the most furious of comeback attempts.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Democrats are worried that our troops eat too well.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
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But, for now, some leaders remain worried about what happens next.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Auriemma was also mad that Staley did not participate in the traditional Final Four handshake before the game after the coaches were announced, though Staley had shaken his hand earlier.—
Lori Riley,
Hartford Courant,
5 Apr. 2026
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How to break the car rental rage cycle Don't get mad.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Chesney became frightened, scaled the enclosure wall and hopped over the fence.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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The team caught up with Chesney on Wednesday and again Thursday night, but Johnson said the frightened kangaroo slipped away — once by jumping into a cold river — and Johnson lost track on the drone.—
John O'Connor,
Fortune,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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For the seventh year in a row, Walmart captured more money from Charlotte-area shoppers than any other grocery store, despite intense competition from local grocers like Harris Teeter and Food Lion.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
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Graves’ exit has sparked intense speculation about his potential successor to represent Missouri’s 6th Congressional District, which stretches across northern Missouri and touches Kansas City’s Northland.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Delirious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delirious. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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