hysteria Definition
- 1a state of extreme fear, excitement, or anger in which a person loses control of their feelings and behaviour
- 2a situation in which people behave or react in an extreme or uncontrolled way because they are frightened or worried about something
Using hysteria: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "hysteria" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The news of the pandemic caused widespread hysteria among the public.
Example
The crowd's hysteria grew as the rockstar stepped on stage.
Example
The politician's speech was met with hysteria from his supporters.
hysteria Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using hysteria
Example
She had a fit of hysteria when she saw the spider crawling towards her.
an instance where someone behaves in an irrational or exaggerated manner due to fear or anxiety
Example
The hysteria on the part of the passengers caused chaos on the plane.
Example
There was hysteria over the release of the new iPhone, with people camping outside stores for days.
Phrases with hysteria
a phenomenon where a large group of people exhibit similar hysterical symptoms, often due to a perceived threat or danger
Example
The town experienced mass hysteria after reports of a ghost sighting spread.
uncontrollable and prolonged fits of laughter that are often inappropriate or exaggerated
Example
The comedian's jokes had the audience in hysterical laughter.
a condition where a person experiences temporary loss of vision without any physical cause, often due to psychological trauma
Example
After witnessing a traumatic event, she suffered from hysterical blindness for several days.
Origins of hysteria
from Latin 'hystericus', meaning 'of the womb'
Summary: hysteria in Brief
The term 'hysteria' [hɪˈstɪə.ri.ə] refers to a state of extreme fear, excitement, or anger in which a person loses control of their feelings and behaviour. It can also describe a situation in which people behave or react in an extreme or uncontrolled way because they are frightened or worried about something. Examples include the news of the pandemic causing widespread hysteria among the public and the crowd's hysteria growing as the rockstar stepped on stage. The term extends into phrases like 'mass hysteria,' and idioms like 'a fit of hysteria,' denoting episodes of extreme emotional outburst or panic.
