semihysterical

8.9

Acting very upset but not completely out of control

adjective
/ˌsɛmihɪˈstɪrɪkəl/

: semihisterico

After about ten minutes of listening to Fiona's semihysterical telling of her outrageous story, Jeremy interrupted.

Examples

His semihysterical laughter filled the room as he recounted the funny incident.
Flynn's voice went up three notches to semihysterical.

Fiction book (1994)
After reading the news, she let out a semihysterical cry of disbelief.
She was in a semihysterical state, alternating between tears and laughter during the conversation.

Synonyms

emotional

vssemihysterical

535 2.1

Showing strong feelings that are easy to see

shows some strong feelings but not full uncontrolled outbursts

hysterical

vssemihysterical

Informal

163 3.9

Extremely emotional in a way that seems out of control

shows some loss of control but not complete, full-blown emotion

melodramatic

vssemihysterical

32 5.6

Showing feelings in a way that is too strong

expresses emotion less theatrically and with more restraint

overdramatic

vssemihysterical

7 4.9

Showing too much feeling about small things

shows milder emotional display without the full theatrical exaggeration

overemotional

vssemihysterical

3 5.0

Showing too much feeling for the situation

is somewhat emotional but does not reach excessive or abnormal levels

overreactive

vssemihysterical

1 6.3

Show too strong feelings or actions for small problems

reacts strongly sometimes but not with consistently excessive intensity

hyperemotional

vssemihysterical

1 7.9

Showing very strong feelings that change quickly and seem too much

is less intense, showing only some signs of such extreme emotion

hysteretic

vssemihysterical

9.9

Showing extreme, uncontrolled emotion that upsets or frightens others

is milder, showing partial excitement rather than full loss of control

psychodramatic

vssemihysterical

8.7

Showing very strong, theatrical feelings like people acting in a play

is emotionally vivid but not as overtly theatrical or performed

Antonyms

calm

735 1.0

Not showing strong feelings and being very still

stable

473 2.3

Not likely to change and stays steady over time

controlled

3.4

Kept within limits by careful management

How Hysterical

hysterical

Informal

163 3.9

semihysterical

8.9

agitated

49 4.1

upset

∞ 1.0

calm

735 1.0

Surface Forms

semihysterical positive

semihystericaler comparative

semihystericalest superlative

Morphology

semihysterical = hysterical (transparent) = semi + hyster + ic + al

Adding semi- to the adjective hysterical predictably means 'partly hysterical'.

Etymology

Semihysterical comes from the parts semi- meaning 'half' and hysterical meaning 'extremely emotional'. So, someone who is semihysterical is partly, but not completely, out of control.