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Showing results for paranoia. Search instead for paranoians.
Definitions

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.

He later blamed the incident on "paranoia" induced by the medication he was taking.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

In a sign of his deep paranoia, he told Fox News in 2025 he is so afraid of being carjacked that he doesn’t wear a seatbelt, even though carjacking rates are rapidly falling.

From Salon • Mar. 18, 2026

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

From Barron's • Feb. 22, 2026

Is it a case of paranoia thanks to new motherhood?

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 8, 2026

Yet Szilard had learned from bitter experience that sometimes paranoia is the prudent approach.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik