paranoia
noun
para·noia
ˌper-ə-ˈnȯi-ə 
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.
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
Wayne King
paranoiac
adjective or noun
or less commonly paranoic
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
The year is 1954, and McCarthy’s Red Scare has stirred paranoia throughout the land.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2024
Despite Sophie Turner’s best efforts, Jean Grey’s descent into paranoia as she gets possessed by the Phoenix Force is incoherent at best, and Jessica Chastain’s central villain is a flavorless bore.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 31 July 2024
As the party collapses into collective, mob-like madness, a sense of despair is unleashed along with paranoia, depravity, violence, and carnage.
—Dennis Perkins and Chris Bellamy, EW.com, 5 July 2024
After a child goes missing, fear and paranoia cause dissension and leave them even more vulnerable to their vicious enemy in an intense, unnerving narrative.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for paranoia 
Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2024
Despite Sophie Turner’s best efforts, Jean Grey’s descent into paranoia as she gets possessed by the Phoenix Force is incoherent at best, and Jessica Chastain’s central villain is a flavorless bore.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 31 July 2024
As the party collapses into collective, mob-like madness, a sense of despair is unleashed along with paranoia, depravity, violence, and carnage.
—Dennis Perkins and Chris Bellamy, EW.com, 5 July 2024
After a child goes missing, fear and paranoia cause dissension and leave them even more vulnerable to their vicious enemy in an intense, unnerving narrative.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for paranoia
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'paranoia.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near paranoia
Cite this Entry
“Paranoia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paranoia. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
paranoia
noun
para·noia
ˌpar-ə-ˈnȯi-ə
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
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
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