What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hysteria
Example
The news of the accident caused hysteria among the crowd. [hysteria: noun]
Example
She was hysterical when she heard the news. [hysterical: adjective]
delirium
Example
The patient was experiencing delirium due to the high fever. [delirium: noun]
Example
He was delirious and kept talking about things that didn't make sense. [delirious: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Delirium is more commonly used in medical contexts, while hysteria is less common and has a negative connotation. Both words are not commonly used in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hysteria and delirium?
Delirium is a neutral term used in medical contexts and is more formal than hysteria, which has a negative connotation and is often associated with informal or outdated language.
