hysterical

[hi-ster-i-kuhl] / hɪˈstɛr ɪ kəl /

ADJECTIVE

very upset, excited

Synonyms

STRONGEST

agitated crazy distraught emotional frantic frenzied furious impassioned mad nervous neurotic overwrought passionate uncontrollable vehement violent

WEAK

berserk beside oneself blazing carried away convulsive crazed delirious distracted fiery fuming impetuous in a fit incensed irrepressible maddened panic-stricken possessed rabid raging rampant raving seething spasmodic tempestuous turbulent uncontrolled unnerved unrestrained uproarious wild worked-up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

apathetic balanced calm collected controlled cool happy indifferent mild moderate peaceful pleased reasonable sane unenthusiastic unexcited unpassionate

WEAK

serene

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Weeks before Cynthia’s death, after Ortiz broke things off with Hatley, she allegedly became hysterical.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

Lader, 40, described "grabbing babies who were being schlepped across the street, and finding parents who were hysterical that their kids weren't here."

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

Then there are the hysterical, bizarre misdirects of Adult Swim’s 2022 “Yule Log” and its 2024 sequel “Yule Log 2: Branchin’ Out,” both on HBO Max.

From Salon • Dec. 18, 2025

On the other end of the phone, his wife became hysterical, but Mr Li didn't have time to panic.

From BBC • Dec. 3, 2025

He knew he would find her and he knew she would be upset and hysterical and possibly even brain tumbled.

From "The Princess Bride" by William Goldman

Vocabulary lists containing hysterical

Wonder

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The Diary of Anne Frank

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The House on Mango Street

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