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
Hopefully with the Dutch commentary, which adds to the sense of hysterical wonder.
—
The Athletic Uk Staff, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
In every way that Sassoon’s letter is clear-eyed and measured, Bove’s reply is weak and hysterical.
—Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2025
Media accused of 'fear-mongering' as Trump begins second term
Fox News contributor Joe Concha joined 'Fox & Friends First' to discuss the media's hysterical reaction to President Trump's inauguration day and his reaction to Biden's last-minute family pardons.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 21 Jan. 2025
There are several hysterical moments across the four episodes made available to critics.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
The Athletic Uk Staff, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
In every way that Sassoon’s letter is clear-eyed and measured, Bove’s reply is weak and hysterical.
—Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2025
Media accused of 'fear-mongering' as Trump begins second term
Fox News contributor Joe Concha joined 'Fox & Friends First' to discuss the media's hysterical reaction to President Trump's inauguration day and his reaction to Biden's last-minute family pardons.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 21 Jan. 2025
There are several hysterical moments across the four episodes made available to critics.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hysterical
Adjective
-
Know your audience—What one person finds funny, another might not.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
-
Not the most memorable, but Myers’s flail-laughing at his own insufferable jokes remains a pretty funny encapsulation of Musk’s self-satisfied riffing.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Given his fake news rhetoric, Trump is certainly not worried about media reports, traditionally a strong external check on presidential power.—
Sergei Klebnikov,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
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Vistra is in talks with regulators and communities who are worried about how locating data centers next to power plants will affect the electric grid, Burke said.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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And this week, there’s a very nice sequence in which Matty walks a frightened Zoey, step-by-step, through what to expect when she gets arrested.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Igor tries to subdue Ani, who's frightened and enraged, kicking and screaming at the prospect of being separated from her new husband.—
Mandalit del Barco,
NPR,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Ever since its first season in Maui, Mike White’s Emmy-winning Max series has poked not-so-subtle fun at the ridiculous expectations and bizarre social customs of the rich on vacation.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
4 Mar. 2025
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Even the most ridiculous forums make their expectations known.—
Adrienne LaFrance,
The Atlantic,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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And people who are scared are less likely to want to stay here.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2025
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For people fresh out of school, my advice as a lawyer is, don’t be scared to seek counsel but above all, don’t be scared to ask for things.—
Joelle Diderich,
WWD,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The big picture: Parody accounts from Mount Rainier and Mount Hood are trading playful taunts and humorous one-upmanship, comparing body counts and jesting about whether size matters.—
Christine Clarridge,
Axios,
28 Feb. 2025
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Rough-hewn and flinty, a movie star without stereotypical movie-star looks, Hackman gave even his humorous roles a slightly sinister, unpredictable edge.—
David Morgan,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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After the Home Depot truck took off down the street, with Tatiana Pino in pursuit, the footage shows that the mail carrier did a U-turn and started to follow Pino’s vehicle, stopping briefly after Pino’s distraught daughter rushed outside and flagged him down.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2025
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As for future plans, Stinchcombe’s so far unrealized ambition is to sell the debit card as a white label product to banks–a solution the banks could offer to families distraught about grandma’s out of control charitable charges or garden gnome purchases.—
Lindsey Choo,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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But Schreck’s play is approachable, entertaining, amusing and thought-provoking.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Mar. 2025
-
Some comments on social media call the prank funny and amusing, while others condemned it as immature and gross.—
Emily Forlini,
PCMAG,
24 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hysterical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hysterical. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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