hysteria
noun
hys·te·ria
hi-ˈster-ē-ə 
-ˈstir-
-ˈstir-
1
: a psychoneurosis marked by emotional excitability and disturbances of the psychogenic, sensory, vasomotor, and visceral (see visceral sense 4) functions
2
: behavior exhibiting overwhelming or unmanageable fear or emotional excess
political hysteria
The plague had caused mass hysteria in the village.
Synonyms
Examples of hysteria in a Sentence
A few of the children began to scream, and soon they were all caught up in the hysteria.
Wartime hysteria led to many unfair accusations of treachery.
The spreading of the disease caused mass hysteria in the village.
Recent Examples on the Web
Colorado’s Lauren Boebert sensed the evil vibe happening around her and made the sign of the cross, but only Florida’s Anna Paulina Luna spoke up to calm the hysteria.
—
Armond White, National Review, 22 May 2024
During the field day festivities, a bear with her cubs (this was on the West Coast) sauntered onto the playground and mass hysteria ensued.
—Sherry Kuehl, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for hysteria 
Armond White, National Review, 22 May 2024
During the field day festivities, a bear with her cubs (this was on the West Coast) sauntered onto the playground and mass hysteria ensued.
—Sherry Kuehl, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for hysteria
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hysteria.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Hysteria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hysteria. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hysteria
noun
hys·te·ria
his-ˈter-ē-ə
-ˈtir-
-ˈtir-
1
: a nervous disorder marked by excitability of the emotions
2
: unmanageable fear or outburst of emotion
Medical Definition
hysteria
noun
hys·te·ria
his-ˈter-ē-ə
-ˈtir-
-ˈtir-
1
a
: a psychoneurosis marked by emotional excitability and disturbances of the psychic, sensory, vasomotor, and visceral functions without an organic basis
b
: a similar condition in domestic animals
2
: behavior exhibiting overwhelming or unmanageable fear or emotional excess
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