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
In other sectors, such hypervigilance might seem like overkill, even paranoia.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 20 May 2024
But paranoia about the Black Panthers’ activities reached an all-time high on July 30, 1974, when Newton was arrested after a run-in with two police officers at a bar in Oakland.
—Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 17 May 2024
The film, according to the synopsis provided by sales company Films Boutique, centers on Iman — an investigating judge in the Revolutionary Court in Tehran — who grapples with mistrust and paranoia as nationwide political protests intensify and his gun mysteriously disappears.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 17 May 2024
Delusions, depressions, paranoias, and various suicide attempts followed.
—Frederick Kaufman, Harper's Magazine, 22 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for paranoia 
Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 20 May 2024
But paranoia about the Black Panthers’ activities reached an all-time high on July 30, 1974, when Newton was arrested after a run-in with two police officers at a bar in Oakland.
—Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 17 May 2024
The film, according to the synopsis provided by sales company Films Boutique, centers on Iman — an investigating judge in the Revolutionary Court in Tehran — who grapples with mistrust and paranoia as nationwide political protests intensify and his gun mysteriously disappears.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 17 May 2024
Delusions, depressions, paranoias, and various suicide attempts followed.
—Frederick Kaufman, Harper's Magazine, 22 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for paranoia
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'paranoia.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near paranoia
Cite this Entry
“Paranoia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paranoia. Accessed 10 Jun. 2024.
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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