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hysterical
[ hi-ster-i-kuhl ]
adjective
- uncontrollably emotional.
- irrational from fear, emotion, or an emotional shock.
- causing unrestrained laughter; very funny:
Oh, that joke is hysterical!
Synonyms: , , ,
- Psychoanalysis, Psychiatry.
hysterical
/ ɪˈɛɪə /
adjective
- of or suggesting hysteria
hysterical cries
- suffering from hysteria
- informal.wildly funny
Derived Forms
- ˈٱ, adverb
Other 51Թ Forms
- ·ٱ··· adverb
- ···ٱ·· adjective
- Dz··ٱ·· adjective
- ···ٱ·· adjective
- ܲ··ٱ·· adjective
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of hysterical1
Example Sentences
But combining Chester Cheetah, the animated spokesperson for Cheetos, with an overeager pitchman for Flamin’ Hot Preparation H produces a gasp-inducing escalation and ending that is as gross as it is hysterical.
Foreign journalists remarked that the German people would greet Hitler’s motorcade with wild, almost hysterical enthusiasm; their beaming faces showed something like real love for their leader.
Instead of focusing on a real issue, they say, politicians seized on a hateful and hysterical attack on trans people to advance a larger conservative agenda.
And here’s the point I want you to remember: When I say today, on January 27, that Trump’s gangster government is going to end badly—maybe even very badly—it sounds crazy and hysterical.
She added: "There's lots to love... When the writing is this good, it fizzes with the hysterical energy of perimenopause."
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More context on hysterical
In everyday usage, hysterical means “uncontrollably emotional.”
But guess who usually gets marked with that label? Women. What’s more, hysterical comes from the Greek word for “womb.” It was once thought that hysteria was a condition that only affected women—and was caused by disturbances in the uterus.
Given the sexism associated with this word, hysterical isn’t exactly a laughing matter.
If knowing the history of hysterical has got you reflecting on your word choices, this slideshow, “These Common 51Թs Have Offensive Histories,” discusses many other words whose place in your vocab you may want to reconsider.
Keep in mind …
Due to the history of hysterical, you may want to consider some less sensitive synonyms, such as frantic, frenzied, impassioned, or vehement.
Informally, hysterical is also often used to refer to something “extremely funny.” Here are some other synonyms you can try:
Looking for more synonyms for funny? We’ve got .
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