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.

Also, how far they’ll push the deep-seated paranoia on which thrillers like this have not only thrived but helped to cultivate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 18, 2026

All of them would later influence “Leviticus”’ visceral atmosphere of romance, paranoia and dread.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 17, 2026

The result in Beijing verged at times towards collective paranoia.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

The paranoia runs in the corridors of power at the Bernabeu and will now be in the dugout with Mourinho - although, in fact, predecessor Alvaro Arbeloa has bought that vision of the world already.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

I suppose my lifelong paranoia was born in those cold, molasses-slow minutes.

From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou

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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