noun
adjective
Other Word Forms
- antihysteric noun
Etymology
Origin of hysteric
1650–60; < Latin hystericus < Greek hysterikós, suffering in the womb, hysterical (reflecting the Greeks' belief that hysteria was peculiar to women and caused by disturbances in the uterus); hystero-, -ic
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But to her credit, Ms. Coon never turns the character into a wild-eyed hysteric or a manipulated figure of pure pathos.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026
As Freeman pulled into second base, a hysteric crowd of 52,995 rose to its feet.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2022
The journalist Jean-Paul Marat, crusader or hysteric depending on your view, lies dead in the bath in the painted version of David’s supreme act of propaganda.
From New York Times • Feb. 17, 2022
"He was clearly a sort of hysteric," he says.
From BBC • Oct. 20, 2018
Both sexes are free from hysteric fits, convulsions, and several other distempers of that sort.
From The History of the Life and Adventures of Mr. Duncan Campell A Gentlen, who, tho' Deaf and Dumb, Writes down any Stranger's name at first Sight; by Defoe, Daniel
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
