mass hysteria

American  

noun

Psychology.

1. a condition affecting a group of persons, characterized by excitement or anxiety, irrational behavior or beliefs, or inexplicable symptoms of illness.

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Etymology

Origin of mass hysteria

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

This is very bad, although hardly a Ghostbusters-style, apocalyptic vision that includes human sacrifice and mass hysteria.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

In some cases, they have attributed reported health-effects from fume exposure to factors including hyperventilation, jet lag, psychological stress, mass hysteria and malingering.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 14, 2025

If the unchecked, unfounded Bey-Tay rumors now feel like a moment of virtual mass hysteria, it’s also easy to understand why so many of us got carried away with the showbiz wish-casting.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 23, 2024

A small group of nobodies on TikTok saying dumb shit is not a viral trend that necessitates mass hysteria in response.

From Slate • Nov. 16, 2023

At this rate we’ll have mass hysteria before too long, and when that happens we’re all goners.

From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland