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.

But now it seems that a very contemporary and more personal issue could be gnawing at Timesfolk and driving them to the brink of paranoia.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

The point is the feeling his creates, the paranoia that the average person is powerless against such dark forces.

From Salon • May 24, 2026

The result in Beijing verged at times towards collective paranoia.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

"My view is we should prepare for paranoia before the event," Uday Kotak, a veteran Indian banker, told a gathering of industry leaders this week, adding, "We must prepare for the worst."

From BBC • May 14, 2026

Waves of rumor and paranoia swept through the countryside, enveloping especially the powerless.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

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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