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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hysterical
The film adaptation of the incredibly popular video game, A Minecraft Movie fell flat with critics with 48% on Rotten Tomatoes, but has been met with hysterical audience reactions thanks to memes that spread online before the film’s release.
—
Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
With seven seasons of pure gold, Parks and Recreation served up everything from town hall shenanigans to hysterical dysfunction in the workplace, reminding us that staying true to your weirdness is the secret ingredient to keeping it all together.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Jesus, ain’t Ryan Gosling hysterical?
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2025
Amina always looked forward to these reunions; she was allowed to be a tourist with her friends, speaking too-loud English, getting a little hysterical.
—Ayşegül Savaş, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
With seven seasons of pure gold, Parks and Recreation served up everything from town hall shenanigans to hysterical dysfunction in the workplace, reminding us that staying true to your weirdness is the secret ingredient to keeping it all together.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Jesus, ain’t Ryan Gosling hysterical?
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2025
Amina always looked forward to these reunions; she was allowed to be a tourist with her friends, speaking too-loud English, getting a little hysterical.
—Ayşegül Savaş, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hysterical
Adjective
-
What’s funny about that is that Alexander appears to have some Leonard Williams to his game.—
Charlotte Carroll,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Not lying and not funny, but not to be ignored either.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Others are worried about the fate of the Smithsonian more broadly.—
Deborah Barfield Berry,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
-
An overwhelming 92 percent are worried about a potential recession in 2025.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
When a deputy arrived, the victim was shaking and frightened, the complaint said.—
Dylan Gentile,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
-
The next night, her sister Gwen said Selonia became frightened when a relative who was visiting Selonia spotted Jimmy Ray Barnes near her home.—
Vladimir Duthiers, Paul LaRosa,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
But while the Gemstones themselves have embraced Kelvin and his coming out, the rest of the world — particularly rival preacher Vance Simkins (Stephen Dorff), Kelvin’s competition for the ridiculous title of Top Christ-Following Man — is more critical.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Hairston blazed a ridiculous 4.28-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine and has legit outside-corner athleticism.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The Bears should be hoping other teams are scared off by Campbell’s shorter-than-ideal arms.—
Brad Biggs,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2025
-
But much of the problem then was that Europeans were simply not scared enough to do their part.—
Barry R. Posen,
Foreign Affairs,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
There were humorous moments amid the writers’ accounts of tragedy.—
Rebecca Plevin,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2025
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When the slasher eventually appears, stealing the group’s car before murdering them with a humorous bluntness, there is also a real atmosphere of dread.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The film takes place in the pediatric unit of hospital and follows a distraught mother, her son and the nurse who look after them.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
14 Apr. 2025
-
His family was too distraught to speak with a reporter.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Also amusing is Fiona Glascott as Lady Violet, an old acquaintance of Sherlock’s who specializes officially in schooling young ladies like Clara to join British high society and unofficially in casting her imperious judgment everywhere.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Apr. 2025
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And while the vision of Young, a vigorous 70 in his trademark schoolboy shorts, tie, crew socks and black shoes, is always amusing, there was nothing but serious respect for his finger-blistering playing.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hysterical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hysterical. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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