paranoid
adjective
para·noid
ˈper-ə-ˌnȯid 
ˌpa-rə-
variants
or less commonly paranoidal
ˌper-ə-ˈnȯi-dᵊl
ˌpa-rə-
1
: characterized by or resembling paranoia or paranoid schizophrenia
a paranoid psychiatric patient
2
: characterized by suspiciousness, persecutory trends, or megalomania
behaving in a paranoid manner with accusations of persecutions
3
: extremely fearful
was so paranoid that he was afraid to walk the streets
paranoid
noun
Examples of paranoid in a Sentence
I guess I was just being paranoid.
She's a little paranoid about her job.
It's nothing more than a paranoid fantasy.
Recent Examples on the Web
Check out this stylish 1959 paranoid thriller, one of Alfred Hitchcock’s most popular late-period films.
—
Ben Rosenstock, TIME, 17 June 2024
For designers working on games or movies for studios paranoid about leaks, this provision would seemingly be non-negotiable and force them to use other tools to finish projects.
—Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 11 June 2024
But as the night goes on, and the drinks (and plenty of drugs) flow heavier and heavier, Griselda becomes increasingly paranoid.
—Yolanda MacHado, EW.com, 10 June 2024
His lawyer said Williams has a 20-year history of mental illness that includes a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder and depression and problems with delusions and paranoid thoughts.
—Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 30 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for paranoid 
Ben Rosenstock, TIME, 17 June 2024
For designers working on games or movies for studios paranoid about leaks, this provision would seemingly be non-negotiable and force them to use other tools to finish projects.
—Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 11 June 2024
But as the night goes on, and the drinks (and plenty of drugs) flow heavier and heavier, Griselda becomes increasingly paranoid.
—Yolanda MacHado, EW.com, 10 June 2024
His lawyer said Williams has a 20-year history of mental illness that includes a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder and depression and problems with delusions and paranoid thoughts.
—Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 30 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for paranoid
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'paranoid.' 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 paranoid
Cite this Entry
“Paranoid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paranoid. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
paranoid
1 of 2 adjective
para·noid
ˈpar-ə-ˌnȯid
variants
also paranoidal
1
: characterized by or resembling paranoia or paranoid schizophrenia
2
: characterized by suspiciousness, persecutory trends, or megalomania
paranoid
2 of 2 noun
: one affected with paranoia or paranoid schizophrenia
called also paranoiac
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