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.
Pic follow Vietnam veteran Jonathan Teller, who suffers from guilt and paranoid delusions. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2024 Director Satoshi Kon uses the medium to his advantage, to be sure, utilizing the reality-bending possibilities of animation to take viewers inside his heroine's paranoid, fractured headspace. Katie Rife, EW.com, 25 Oct. 2024 Within this kaleidoscope, some audiences will skew more right or left, sometimes to a paranoid extreme. Ross Douthat, The Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2024 That of course would be Lewis, an old high school acquaintance, who’s coked to the gills and deep in the grip of paranoid delusions when Skye arrives. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Oct. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near paranoid

Cite this Entry

“Paranoid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paranoid. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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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