hysteria

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'hysteria' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe intense fear or excitement, especially among a crowd of people. For example, "The fans of the winning team erupted in hysteria after the final buzzer sounded."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No. But, for all the hysteria, that has never happened.

The Guardian

Then, at 21, Carlyle chanced upon a copy of The Crucible, Arthur Miller's classic tale of witchcraft, Macarthyism, public hysteria, and personal integrity.

The Guardian - Film

When I came out as gay the sort of hysteria that has since overwhelmed my country was unthinkable.

The Guardian - Opinion

After all the speculation, the huffing and puffing of the election campaign and the wild-eyed hysteria whipped up by government cheerleaders in the press, all we got here was: "My government will bring forward proposals for a British bill of rights".

The Guardian - Opinion

This media hysteria denies the fact that immigration helps our economy and is a great boon to tackling the coming demographic imbalanced posed by our ageing population.

The Guardian

Fears of the effects on health and plummeting house prices compete with the promise of jobs and money for communities, accompanied by accusations of misinformation and hysteria from both sides.

The Guardian

But he had a fence down, the contest went to a jump-off and the rest is hysteria.

The Guardian - Sport

There is a danger of promoting hysteria which can cause the marginalisation of individuals, which can cause its own problems.

The Guardian

Gerry Kelly, a leading party assembly member, said: "The reaction by unionist politicians to the hoisting of two Irish flags above Stormont's Parliament Buildings can only be described as hysteria.

The Guardian

As responses go, this time it's pretty well impeccable, funny too, a break from the hysteria, paranoia and affected outrage of the previous 24 hours.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet the Potemkin home serves as a useful metaphor not just for the noughties housing hysteria, but for much that has gone wrong with our economy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing public reactions or media coverage, "hysteria" can effectively convey a sense of exaggerated or disproportionate response to events.

Common error

Avoid using "hysteria" to describe minor excitement or disagreement. Reserve it for situations where emotions are truly extreme and potentially disruptive to avoid hyperbole.

Linguistic Context

The noun "hysteria" functions as a descriptor for states of extreme emotional arousal. Ludwig AI indicates that it is correct and usable in written English. Examples show it used to describe public reactions, political climates, and personal experiences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "hysteria" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun, primarily appearing in News & Media contexts to describe excessive and uncontrolled emotional states. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While often used to critique or analyze social phenomena, it's essential to reserve "hysteria" for situations where emotions are genuinely extreme to avoid hyperbole. Consider alternatives like "mass panic" or "public frenzy" to fine-tune your descriptions. Proper usage ensures clarity and avoids misrepresenting the emotional intensity of a situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mass panic

Focuses on the collective and sudden onset of fear.

public frenzy

Highlights the widespread excitement or agitation.

emotional outburst

Emphasizes a sudden release of strong emotions.

collective excitement

Underscores the shared enthusiasm or eagerness.

outbreak of emotion

Stresses the rapid and uncontrolled spread of sentiment.

irrational fear

Highlights the lack of reason behind the anxiety.

uncontrolled emotion

Focuses on the lack of regulation of feelings.

emotional turmoil

Emphasizes the inner state of agitation and distress.

exaggerated reaction

Highlights the over-the-top response to an event.

overreaction

A simpler term for an excessive response.

FAQs

How can I use "hysteria" in a sentence?

"Hysteria" is used to describe a state of extreme and uncontrolled emotion. For example, "The news caused public hysteria" or "There was mass hysteria following the announcement".

What can I say instead of "hysteria"?

You can use alternatives like "mass panic", "public frenzy", or "emotional outburst" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the term "hysteria"?

"Hysteria" is appropriate when describing situations involving extreme, uncontrolled, and often irrational emotions, particularly when those emotions are shared by a large group of people.

What's the difference between "hysteria" and "excitement"?

"Excitement" generally refers to a positive and often enjoyable emotional state. "Hysteria", on the other hand, implies an extreme and often negative or disruptive emotional state that is out of control. "Hysteria" often involves irrational fear or panic, which is not necessarily present in "excitement".