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Synonyms

hysterically

American  
[hi-ster-ik-lee] / hɪˈstɛr ɪk li /

adverb

  1. in an unrestrained or uncontrolled way.

    Whatever she’s thinking comes out her mouth, so the whole team was hysterically laughing at her commentary on our game films.

    Keisha slid to the damp pavement in a heap and buried her face in her hands, sobbing hysterically.

  2. in a way that is very funny.

    My friend's daughter is hysterically paranoid about autoflush toilets, so we’re always on the lookout for a traditional toilet just in case.

  3. stemming from or caused by conversion disorder.

    A group of hysterically blind Cambodian women in California are the largest group of such people known in the world.


Other Word Forms

  • semihysterically adverb
  • unhysterically adverb

Etymology

Origin of hysterically

hysterical ( def. ) + -ly

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.

When I say, “Mom?” she starts hysterically crying.

From Literature

Mrs. Maroney wailed hysterically, clutching a bulky canvas bag to her chest.

From Literature

The three of them are all laughing hysterically, kicking up leaves and snapping branches as they dodge flaming bullets of light.

From Literature

Kendrick has everyone at the table behind me laughing hysterically about something.

From Literature

“I remember hearing the dogs barking hysterically. ... Did he try to save the house? Did he pass out?”

From Los Angeles Times