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
That will require adopting a rational approach, not one based on paranoia.
—James Bacon, Mercury News, 28 May 2025
This was against the backdrop of a growing paranoia over different issues across the company.
—Karen Hao, Wired News, 21 May 2025
Some historians say that this new conflict started in 1947 with the Clay-Robertson agreement, in which British and U.S. authorities decided to industrialize western Germany, provoking Stalin’s paranoia.
—Antony Beevor, Foreign Affairs, 7 May 2025
Constant outrage, paranoia and moral policing can become exhausting fairly quickly.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for paranoia
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James Bacon, Mercury News, 28 May 2025
This was against the backdrop of a growing paranoia over different issues across the company.
—Karen Hao, Wired News, 21 May 2025
Some historians say that this new conflict started in 1947 with the Clay-Robertson agreement, in which British and U.S. authorities decided to industrialize western Germany, provoking Stalin’s paranoia.
—Antony Beevor, Foreign Affairs, 7 May 2025
Constant outrage, paranoia and moral policing can become exhausting fairly quickly.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for paranoia
Cite this Entry
“Paranoia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paranoia. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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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