paranoia

[par-uh-noi-uh] / ˌpær əˈnɔɪ ə /

NOUN

mental illness

Synonyms

STRONGEST

insanity mental disorder

WEAK

crack-up craziness delusions depression derangement disturbed mind emotional disorder emotional instability loss of mind lunacy madness maladjustment mania mental disease mental sickness nervous breakdown nervous disorder neurosis neurotic disorder phobia psychopathy psychosis sick mind troubled mind unbalanced mind unsoundness of mind

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The paranoia runs in the corridors of power at the Bernabeu and will now be in the dugout with Mourinho - although, in fact, predecessor Alvaro Arbeloa has bought that vision of the world already.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

Well, if you let your paranoia run wild, quite a lot.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2026

“His decisions at trial,” his lawyers argue, were “based on fear and paranoia rather than rational thinking; he would fixate on small details, while missing the big picture.”

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026

"There's paranoia around AI in every industry," said Wedbush analyst Dan Ives.

From Barron's • Feb. 22, 2026

I’m straight catching Mateo’s paranoia, like a cold.

From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera

Vocabulary lists containing paranoia

"The Veldt" by Ray Bradbury

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The Perks of Being a Wallflower

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"There Will Come Soft Rains" by Ray Bradbury (1950)

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