Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for paranoia. Search instead for parano.
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

The Citrini selloff latched onto the market’s recent paranoia that artificial intelligence could ravage established players in a range of industries.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

The action films are likewise both packed with paranoia and betrayal.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2026

I use the napkin anyway because I feel an intense paranoia that if I use their toilet paper, they will be even more pissed off with me than they already seem to be.

From "Ask the Passengers" by A.S. King

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.