hysterical
adjective
hys·ter·i·cal hi-ˈster-i-kəl 
1
or less commonly hysteric
hi-ˈster-ik
: of, relating to, or marked by hysteria hysterical conditions
2
: feeling or showing extreme and unrestrained emotion
hysterical fans
… the paper did not hesitate to appeal to racial passions in hysterical headlines and rabid editorials. 
The New Yorker
The New Yorker3
informal : very funny
a hysterical movie/joke
hysterically
hi-ˈster-i-k(ə-)lē
adverb 
Synonyms
- antic
- chucklesome
- comedic
- comic
- comical
- droll
- farcical
- funny
- hilarious
- humoristic
- humorous
- killing
- laughable
- ludicrous
- ridiculous
- riotous
- risible
- screaming
- sidesplitting
- uproarious
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web With seven books and eight movies, there's no shortage of sidesplitting, hysterical commentary from Hermoine Granger, Harry, and Ron, as well as the beloved teachers and friends of the trio. Seventeen, 30 Aug. 2022 Such hysterical hyperbole would also dominate conversations in the world of finance. Joe Queenan, WSJ, 25 Aug. 2022 Rivera’s too-towering example or Stalin’s murderousness or America’s increasingly hysterical anti-communism. Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2022 Hence Beijing’s hysterical reaction to Pelosi’s visit. Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2022 The school was suddenly a swarm of police officers, medics, ambulances, and, outside, hysterical parents. Edgar Sandoval, BostonGlobe.com, 10 July 2022 The school was suddenly a swarm of police officers, medics, ambulances and, outside, hysterical parents. New York Times, 10 July 2022 Others are completely ridiculous and genuinely hysterical to see, such as the cup holder, helicopter blade, rotary dial, and steering wheel. Jacob Siegal, BGR, 24 Aug. 2022 While in the cruiser, the suspect was emotionally hysterical and crying. cleveland, 28 July 2022 See More
Seventeen, 30 Aug. 2022 Such hysterical hyperbole would also dominate conversations in the world of finance. Joe Queenan, WSJ, 25 Aug. 2022 Rivera’s too-towering example or Stalin’s murderousness or America’s increasingly hysterical anti-communism. Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2022 Hence Beijing’s hysterical reaction to Pelosi’s visit. Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2022 The school was suddenly a swarm of police officers, medics, ambulances, and, outside, hysterical parents. Edgar Sandoval, BostonGlobe.com, 10 July 2022 The school was suddenly a swarm of police officers, medics, ambulances and, outside, hysterical parents. New York Times, 10 July 2022 Others are completely ridiculous and genuinely hysterical to see, such as the cup holder, helicopter blade, rotary dial, and steering wheel. Jacob Siegal, BGR, 24 Aug. 2022 While in the cruiser, the suspect was emotionally hysterical and crying. cleveland, 28 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
hysterical
adjective
hys·ter·i·cal
hi-ˈster-i-kəl
1
: feeling or showing extreme and uncontrolled emotion
hysterical laughter
… the sight of blood really makes him hysterical. Jack Gantos, Joey Pigza Loses Control
Jack Gantos, Joey Pigza Loses Control2
: very funny
Your joke was hysterical.
Medical Definition
hysterical
adjective
hys·ter·i·cal -ˈter-i-kəl
variants also hysteric
-ˈter-ik
: of, relating to, or marked by hysteria
during hysterical conditions various functions of the human body are disordered Morris Fishbein
Morris Fishbeinhysterical
adjective
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
Relevance
- funny
- ridiculous
- humorous
- amusing
- screaming
- hilarious
- entertaining
- ludicrous
- comical
- farcical
- comedic
- uproarious
- laughable
- riotous
- playful
- witty
- droll
- comic
- antic
- risible
- killing
- laughing
- chucklesome
- sidesplitting
- humoristic
- merry
- zany
- clownish
- smart
- slapstick
- flippant
- mad
- diverting
- slapsticky
- waggish
- jocular
- whimsical
- gleeful
- knockabout
- rich
- jokey
- facetious
- flip
- mirthful
- wry
- jovial
- priceless
- campy
- jolly
- jocose
- joky
- smart-alecky
- snickery
- pert
- smart-aleck
- blithesome
- jocund
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unfunny
- humorless
- unamusing
- serious
- lame
- tragic
- somber
- severe
- earnest
- solemn
- sombre
- poignant
- tragical
- staid
- unhumorous
- sober
- grave
- unhysterical
- sad
- unsmiling
- sedate
- uncomic
- tearful
- touching
- weighty
- mournful
- sorrowful
- moving
- lachrymose
- woeful
- no-nonsense
- sobersided
- affecting
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
- worried
- scared
- distraught
- frightened
- frantic
- delirious
- upset
- agitated
- troubled
- frenzied
- alarmed
- distracted
- alarmed
- distrait
- disturbed
- terrified
- horrified
- nervous
- anxious
- crazed
- aghast
- perturbed
- maniacal
- deranged
- demented
- maniac
- beside oneself
- disquieted
- mad
- berserk
- terrorized
- spooked
- ballistic
- raving
- tense
- raging
- affrighted
- nuclear
- fearful
- ranting
- wrought (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- collected
- composed
- calm
- recollected
- peaceful
- serene
- unhysterical
- tranquil
- placid
- self-possessed
- unperturbed
- undisturbed
- cool
- self-composed
- untroubled
- unworried
- unshaken
- self-possessed
- coolheaded
- self-collected
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
- frightened
- terrified
- horrified
- scared
- afraid
- panicked
- alarmed
- shocked
- fearful
- aghast
- spooked
- scary
- terrorized
- startled
- affrighted
- panicky
- worried
- horror-struck
- upset
- disturbed
- timid
- agitated
- apprehensive
- nervous
- appalled
- anxious
- phobic
- panic-stricken
- perturbed
- timorous
- disquieted
- tremulous
- jumpy
- fainthearted
- disconcerted
- shrinking
- jittery
- cautious
- intimidated
- fearsome
- craven
- chicken
- funky
- dismayed
- wary
- cowardly
- coward
- cowed
- pusillanimous
- unnerved
- careful
- gutless
- daunted
- uneasy
- skittish
- tremulant
- shy
- unadventurous
- lily-livered
- heedful
- prudent
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- fearless
- spirited
- daring
- adventurous
- audacious
- heroic
- unafraid
- spunky
- bold
- gutsy
- courageous
- brave
- plucky
- adventuresome
- dashing
- daredevil
- intrepid
- venturesome
- valiant
- sure
- cool
- confident
- valorous
- unperturbed
- gallant
- hardy
- sanguine
- heroical
- stalwart
- collected
- venturous
- composed
- assured
- stout
- manful
- dauntless
- undaunted
- resolute
- stouthearted
- lionhearted