delirious

adjective

de·​lir·​i·​ous di-ˈlir-ē-əs How to pronounce delirious (audio)
Synonyms of delirious
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of delirium
delirious mutterings
2
: affected with or marked by delirium
delirious with fever
delirious fans
deliriously adverb
deliriousness noun

Synonyms of delirious

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Examples of delirious in a Sentence

As the child's temperature went up, he became delirious and didn't know where he was. He was delirious with fever. a group of delirious fans celebrating the team's victory
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The new album reunited the Jayhawks with storied producer Bob Ezrin, who guided some of the most delirious and grandiose rock records of the 1970s, from Alice Cooper, Kiss, and Lou Reed to Pink Floyd’s The Wall. — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 31 Aug. 2026 There’s a dark and delirious symmetry to the way Jordan and Gareth mirror each other’s self-hatred and desperate longing. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 Instead, New York mounted an improbable if not impossible resurrection, Anunoby’s tip-in providing the exclamation point to the delirious comeback. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026 So ensues a period of delirious soul-searching, given tremendous gravitas by Bakhtadze. — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for delirious

Word History

Etymology

see delirium

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of delirious was in 1599

Rhymes for delirious

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Browse Nearby Words

deliration
delirious
delirium
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Delirious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/delirious. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

delirious

adjective
de·​lir·​i·​ous di-ˈlir-ē-əs How to pronounce delirious (audio)
1
: affected with, marked by, or characteristic of delirium
2
: wildly excited
delirious fans
deliriously adverb
deliriousness noun

Medical Definition

delirious

adjective
de·​lir·​i·​ous di-ˈlir-ē-əs How to pronounce delirious (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of delirium
2
: affected with or marked by delirium
deliriously adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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