hysterical

adjective

hi-ˈster-i-kəl How to pronounce hysterical (audio)
variants also hysteric
Definition of hystericalnext
1
as in funny
causing or intended to cause laughter some of the things little kids come out with are hysterical

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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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of hysterical And true to the franchise, the new movie is both hysterical and heartwarming, while still dealing with some mature, timely themes that will resonate with parents especially. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 18 June 2026 This was a Jean Paul Gualitier wrap that challenged traditional notions of how a top male soccer player should appear, sending the British tabloids into a hysterical spin. — Sheena McKenzie, CNN Money, 7 June 2026 Then Elizabeth’s sister Lydia (Jenna Coleman) shows up uninvited and hysterical; her still-caddish husband, George Wickham (Matthew Goode), had an argument with his friend Capt. — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026 Pantochino Productions, the singularly silly, strange and hysterical small theater company that has worked out of the Milford Arts Council (MAC) for the past 16 years, occupies a unique place in the Connecticut theater landscape. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for hysterical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hysterical
  1. funny
  2. agitated
  3. frightened
  4. humorous
  5. distraught
  6. terrified
  7. comedic
  8. frantic
Adjective
  • Watching improv is reliably funny because performers work without a script.
    — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2026
  • But figuring out how to do all that while being funny at the same time?
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 30 June 2026
Definition of funny
Adjective
  • People with heat stroke can feel confused, unable to speak properly and agitated.
    — Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 2 July 2026
  • However, first base umpire Todd Tichenor tossed the agitated second baseman after Chisholm spiked his helmet toward home plate.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 29 June 2026
Definition of agitated
Adjective
  • In May, a frightened horse rammed into another carriage, causing the vehicle to flip over, injuring the driver.
    — ANDREA SACHS THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 28 June 2026
  • Rodríguez acknowledged that many remain too frightened to return home even after inspections declared some buildings safe.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 27 June 2026
Definition of frightened
Adjective
  • His after-game interviews were always intelligent and sometimes humorous.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • The original intent was to show female athletes standing strong against unsportsmanlike conduct in a humorous way … nothing more.
    — Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2026
Definition of humorous
Adjective
  • In fact, when a distraught Tom Hayward suddenly reappears, a content Mary is strolling in a local park on her own.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 24 June 2026
  • Her son was too distraught to speak on Sunday.
    — Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 22 June 2026
Definition of distraught
Adjective
  • Outrage continues to grow after a drone was reported stalking a terrified wild mustang on North Carolina’s northern Outer Banks.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2026
  • Campbell found the minister on the ground, terrified and in pain.
    — Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2026
Definition of terrified
Adjective
  • Ray had a somewhat comedic moment in the bottom of the first, taking a spill after tagging first base when recording a 3-1 putout.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 5 July 2026
  • Sandler's participation in the newlyweds' wedding ceremony comes nearly a year after the comedic actor co-starred in Happy Gilmore 2 with Kelce, who had a cameo in the sequel film.
    — Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
Definition of comedic
Adjective
  • From the frantic frenzy surrounding royal nuptials to the way the internet dissected every possible clue from Zendaya and Tom Holland before they were revealed to have officially tied the knot, weddings like these are a cultural event.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 3 July 2026
  • On a remote Maine logging road, a couple out for a day of fishing unexpectedly encountered a black bear chasing a frantic moose calf toward their truck.
    — Kate Brumback, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of frantic

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Cite this Entry

“Hysterical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hysterical. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of hysterical for Spanish Speakers

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