a frenzied emotional state that affects a large number of people at the same time
I am worried because we are talking about a nation which is almost gripped by masshysteria.
mass hysteria among those who fear contamination
mass hysteria in American English
noun
Psychology
a condition affecting a group of persons, characterized by excitement or anxiety, irrational behavior or beliefs, or inexplicable symptoms of illness
Word origin
[1930–35]This word is first recorded in the period 1930–35. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: boondoggle, cloverleaf, hypercorrection, old school tie, video
Examples of 'mass hysteria' in a sentence
mass hysteria
Any realistic assessment is you lost in some degree of mass hysteria.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
A 'regular dude ' who inspires mass hysteria wherever he goes.
Times, Sunday Times (2018)
It just detracts from what had been an intriguing movie about mass hysteria.
The Sun (2015)
However, we must not get into a state of mass hysteria and panic.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
You and your friend were suffering from mass hysteria.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
He condemned it as 'grotesque ... a kind of mass hysteria'.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
All political parties suffer periodic outbreaks of mass hysteria and gloom.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
For others, the mass hysteria around them was enough to provoke tears.
The Sun (2011)
Cue mass hysteria at the away end and silence everywhere else in the ground.
The Sun (2015)
A new sweetie range that claims to induce mass hysteria.