paranoia

noun

para·​noia ˌper-ə-ˈnȯi-ə How to pronounce paranoia (audio)
ˌpa-rə-
1
: mental illness characterized by systematized delusions of persecution or grandeur usually without hallucinations
Psychotic symptoms and paranoia persisted, and she continued to "find clues" of conspiracy against her.Helen K. Delichatsios et al.
2
: a tendency on the part of an individual or group toward excessive or irrational suspiciousness and distrustfulness of others
The members of America's racist right inhabit a murky world of conspiracy, suspicion, and paranoia.Wayne King
paranoiac
ˌper-ə-ˈnȯi-ˌak How to pronounce paranoia (audio)
-ˈnȯi-ik
ˌpa-rə-
adjective or noun
or less commonly paranoic
ˌper-ə-ˈnȯi(-i)k How to pronounce paranoia (audio)
-ˈnō-ik,
ˌpa-rə-
paranoically
ˌper-ə-ˈnȯi(-i)-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce paranoia (audio)
-ˈnō-i-k(ə-)lē
ˌpa-rə-
adverb

Examples of paranoia in a Sentence

She was diagnosed with delusional paranoia. I had to admit that my fears were just paranoia.
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.
Schlesinger’s The Day of the Locust doesn’t do justice to West’s paranoia, yet its remoteness captures the liberal Hollywood apathy that no longer identifies with American domesticity and sees its own working class as existing merely to perpetuate ruling-class superiority. Armond White, National Review, 31 Jan. 2025 Emmi and cinematographer Ethan Palmer approached the project with some creative intentions, switching between aspect ratios and video formats and employing quick cuts in an attempt to illustrate the way Lucas’ mind switches between anxiety, paranoia, and lust. Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 30 Jan. 2025 Leaders need to adopt a future-focused mindset and be in a constant state of paranoia. Dev Patnaik, Forbes, 26 Jan. 2025 So far, so typical of political thrillers in this age of paranoia. Judy Berman, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for paranoia 

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek, madness, from paranous demented, from para- + nous mind

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of paranoia was in 1887

Dictionary Entries Near paranoia

Cite this Entry

“Paranoia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paranoia. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

paranoia

noun
para·​noia ˌpar-ə-ˈnȯi-ə How to pronounce paranoia (audio)
1
: a serious mental illness marked especially by feelings of persecution or an exaggerated sense of one's own importance usually without hallucinations
2
: a tendency toward being overly suspicious and distrustful

Medical Definition

paranoia

noun
para·​noia ˌpar-ə-ˈnȯi-ə How to pronounce paranoia (audio)
1
: a psychosis characterized by systematized delusions of persecution or grandeur usually without hallucinations
2
: a tendency on the part of an individual or group toward excessive or irrational suspiciousness and distrustfulness of others
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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