hysteria

noun

hys·​te·​ria hi-ˈster-ē-ə How to pronounce hysteria (audio) -ˈstir- How to pronounce hysteria (audio)
Synonyms of hysteria
1
: a psychoneurosis marked by emotional excitability and disturbances of the psychogenic, sensory, vasomotor, and visceral (see visceral sense 4) functions
2
: behavior exhibiting overwhelming or unmanageable fear or emotional excess
political hysteria
The plague had caused mass hysteria in the village.

Synonyms of hysteria

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Examples of hysteria in a Sentence

A few of the children began to scream, and soon they were all caught up in the hysteria. Wartime hysteria led to many unfair accusations of treachery. The spreading of the disease caused mass hysteria in the village.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Having recognized the hysteria, Salem now keeps the history alive, through an unlikely combination of museums dedicated to the witch trials and shops and festivities that celebrate the modern-day practice of, well, witchcraft. — Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026 The series follows a group of misbehaving Catholic school girls who experience prophetic visions after a dance-team initiation goes wrong, triggering mass hysteria throughout their town. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026 The Beatles, not yet known in America, were already inspiring hysteria across England. — Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 Sometimes, techies will embrace the accusations in ironic fashion, sending a proud middle finger to the luddites who’ve declined partaking in the industry hysteria. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hysteria

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from English hysteric, adjective, from Latin hystericus, from Greek hysterikos, from hystera womb; from the Greek notion that hysteria was peculiar to women and caused by disturbances of the uterus

First Known Use

1772, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hysteria was in 1772

Rhymes for hysteria

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Browse Nearby Words

hysteretic
hysteria
Hysteriaceae
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Cite this Entry

“Hysteria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hysteria. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hysteria

noun
hys·​te·​ria his-ˈter-ē-ə How to pronounce hysteria (audio) -ˈtir- How to pronounce hysteria (audio)
1
: a nervous disorder marked by excitability of the emotions
2
: unmanageable fear or outburst of emotion

Medical Definition

hysteria

noun
hys·​te·​ria his-ˈter-ē-ə How to pronounce hysteria (audio) -ˈtir- How to pronounce hysteria (audio)
1
a
: a psychoneurosis marked by emotional excitability and disturbances of the psychic, sensory, vasomotor, and visceral functions without an organic basis
b
: a similar condition in domestic animals
2
: behavior exhibiting overwhelming or unmanageable fear or emotional excess

More from Merriam-Webster on hysteria

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hysteria

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