mass hysteria

noun

Psychology.

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of mass hysteria¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

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

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The imperfect protagonist of “The Crucible” takes a heroic stand against the mass hysteria that is turning his Salem neighbors viciously against one another.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But after war breaks out, panic and civil unrest run rampant, with the local authorities unable to stem the tide of mass hysteria.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The Killers concluded their set with two consecutive different renditions of their eternal anthem Mr Brightside - the first a surprising synth reworking - prompting mass hysteria.

Read more on BBC