hysteria
5 synonyms for hysteria, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A state of extreme, uncontrollable emotion, ranging from panic to wild excitement.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use hysteria
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
mass hysteria
whip up hysteria
Etymology
From Latin hystericus, from Greek hysterikos ("suffering in the womb") — from hystera ("womb"). Ancient physicians wrongly attributed this emotional state to the uterus.
Full origin of hysteria →Frequently asked questions
What does “hysteria” mean?
The word “hysteria” means a state of extreme, uncontrollable emotion, ranging from panic to wild excitement. In plain terms, a wave of extreme, often irrational emotion or panic.
How do you pronounce “hysteria”?
“Hysteria” is pronounced hih-STEH-ree-uh (/hɪˈstɛɹiə/ in IPA).
How do you use “hysteria” in a sentence?
Here is “hysteria” used in a sentence: “News of the surprise winner sent the crowd into hysteria.”
What part of speech is “hysteria”?
“Hysteria” is a noun.
Where does the word “hysteria” come from?
The word “hysteria” comes from Latin. From Latin hystericus, from Greek hysterikos ("suffering in the womb") — from hystera ("womb"). Ancient physicians wrongly attributed this emotional state to the uterus.
Is “hysteria” a common word?
“Hysteria” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
