hysterical
Overcome with feeling
Hysterical describes uncontrolled emotional excess—laughing, crying, or panicking beyond reason: She became hysterical when she heard the news.
The word originally referred to a supposed female disorder of the womb, and calling women hysterical still carries sexist overtones.
In casual speech, hysterical often just means extremely funny: That standup set was hysterical.
Wildly anxious or desperate
- panickedOverwhelmed by sudden fear
- feverishHaving elevated temperature
- wildNot domesticated or controlled
- manicAbnormally elevated, agitated
agitated · flustered · hectic · chaotic · desperate · unhinged · crazed · worked-up
Extremely amusing
- side-splittingExtremely amusing, causing convulsions
- uproariousExtremely and loudly comedic
- rib-ticklingExtremely amusing
- laughableWorthy of derision
comical · amusing · funny · priceless · gut-busting · knee-slapping · ridiculous · absurd
Convulsive crying aloud
- cryingEmotional tear release
- wailingProlonged mournful crying
- inconsolableUnable to be comforted
- overwroughtExcessively emotional or elaborate
distraught · uncontrollable · breakdown · tears · weeping · blubbering · bawling · meltdown
Laughing in short bursts
- cacklingHarsh, staccato laughter
- howlingProlonged mournful crying sound
- roaringMaking prolonged loud noise
- snortingNoisy nasal exhalation
guffawing · shrieking · fits · uncontrollable · infectious · contagious · tearful · breathless
Exaggeratedly emotional in expression
- overblownInflated beyond reasonable proportion
- theatricalExaggeratedly emotional for effect
- histrionicExaggeratedly emotional in behavior
- overwroughtExcessively emotional or elaborate
dramatic · hyperbolic · excessive · overreaction · sensationalized · outlandish · over-the-top · campy
Exaggerated physical humor
- farceAbsurd, laughable situation
- parodySatirical imitation
- satireMockery exposing vice
- screwballDeceptive breaking pitch
wit · buffoonery · zany · clowning · sketch · standup · sitcom · gag
Of unconscious-mind theory
- VictorianOf a prim era
- dismissiveShowing contemptuous disregard
- genderedCategorized by sex
- patronizingTreating someone as inferior
irrational · overreacting · dramatic · emotional · neurotic · unhinged · unstable · excitable
frantic
Wildly anxious or desperate
- panickedOverwhelmed by sudden fear
- feverishHaving elevated temperature
- wildNot domesticated or controlled
manic · agitated · flustered · hectic · chaotic · desperate · unhinged · crazed · worked-up · out-of-control
hilarious
Extremely amusing
- side-splittingExtremely amusing, causing convulsions
- uproariousExtremely and loudly comedic
- rib-ticklingExtremely amusing
laughable · comical · amusing · funny · priceless · gut-busting · knee-slapping · ridiculous · absurd · ludicrous
sobbing
Convulsive crying aloud
- cryingEmotional tear release
- wailingProlonged mournful crying
- inconsolableUnable to be comforted
overwrought · distraught · uncontrollable · breakdown · tears · weeping · blubbering · bawling · meltdown · fit
giggling
Laughing in short bursts
- cacklingHarsh, staccato laughter
- howlingProlonged mournful crying sound
- roaringMaking prolonged loud noise
snorting · guffawing · shrieking · fits · uncontrollable · infectious · contagious · tearful · breathless · wheezing
melodramatic
Exaggeratedly emotional in expression
- overblownInflated beyond reasonable proportion
- theatricalExaggeratedly emotional for effect
- histrionicExaggeratedly emotional in behavior
overwrought · dramatic · hyperbolic · excessive · overreaction · sensationalized · outlandish · over-the-top · campy · hammy
slapstick
Exaggerated physical humor
screwball · wit · buffoonery · zany · clowning · sketch · standup · sitcom · gag · punchline
Freudian
Of unconscious-mind theory
- VictorianOf a prim era
- dismissiveShowing contemptuous disregard
- genderedCategorized by sex
patronizing · irrational · overreacting · dramatic · emotional · neurotic · unhinged · unstable · excitable · female
- funnyfunny, comical, hilarious, humorous, amusing
- moodshappy, sad, angry, anxious, excited
- emotionaldramatic, weepy, tearful, melodramatic, histrionic
- fear reactionsscream, scared, gasp, terrified, flinch
- overreactfreak out, panic, explode, blow up, meltdown
- outburstsoutburst, burst, eruption, tantrum, meltdown
hystericalcalm
Free from agitation
composed · collected · serene · unflappable · poised
hystericaltragic
Causing great sorrow
heartbreaking · grave · serious · solemn · devastating
- hysterical blindnessPsychological loss of sight