paranoid

adjective

para·​noid ˈper-ə-ˌnȯid How to pronounce paranoid (audio)
ˌpa-rə-
variants or less commonly paranoidal
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Last week, Fox News Digital released video footage of a Kentucky State Police (KSP) investigator and two troopers questioning a paranoid Stines in the immediate aftermath of the shooting. Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2025 The government’s determination to wrap the matter up neatly relegated the bulk of voters to the paranoid fringe. Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 19 May 2025 Iris is Stefani’s grandmother, who has turned into a paranoid loner living in a rural fortified compound only the Unabomber could love. Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025 Saw is clearly growing more paranoid, and accuses Mon of sending spies after him before cutting off communication. Michileen Martin, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for paranoid

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of paranoid was in 1901

Cite this Entry

“Paranoid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paranoid. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

paranoid

1 of 2 adjective
para·​noid
ˈpar-ə-ˌnȯid
1
: resembling paranoia
2
: marked especially by suspiciousness, distrust, and feelings of persecution
3
: extremely fearful
grew paranoid about losing her job

paranoid

2 of 2 noun
: one who is paranoid

Medical Definition

paranoid

1 of 2 adjective
para·​noid ˈpar-ə-ˌnȯid How to pronounce paranoid (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on paranoid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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