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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Campbell—who first played Ash under the auspice of writer-director Raimi and producer Tapert on 1981’s The Evil Dead—said metal music wasn’t the only thing that the general public was paranoid about in the 1980s. Tim Lammers, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024 Some people experience negative effects with even small amounts of THC, such as uneasiness or anxiousness, feeling paranoid or agitated, a rise in heart rate or blood pressure, or nausea and vomiting. Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 16 Sep. 2024 The series starred Jeff Goldblum as a paranoid, insecure Zeus, who stands at the center of a power struggle between the gods and humanity—an effort spearheaded by Prometheus and a group of humans including Eurydice, Ariadne, and Caeneus. Travis Bean, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024 Evan’s father Jared (Shaun Parkes) has paranoid suspicions that the Radleys may be vampires, but his reasons are unclear since the family goes to great lengths to keep their identity a secret. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 5 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 7 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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