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.

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

paranoiac

ˌper-ə-ˈnȯi-ˌak 

-ˈnȯi-ik

ˌpa-rə-

adjective or noun

or less commonly paranoic

ˌper-ə-ˈnȯi(-i)k 

-ˈnō-ik,

ˌpa-rə-

paranoically

ˌper-ə-ˈnȯi(-i)-k(ə-)lē 

-ˈnō-i-k(ə-)lē

ˌpa-rə-

adverb

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

People often confuse the paranoia of dementia with the paranoia of conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. —Dr. Sabooh Mubbashar, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2025

Cronenberg has made a thriller of justified technological paranoia, of the internet’s myriad parasitic intrusions into the human realm. —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2025

Apparently Nat took her own life a few days ago after weeks of extreme paranoia and instability. —Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2025

The doctor considered schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and paranoia diagnoses but ultimately rejected them, according to a report read aloud in court. —Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek, madness, from paranous demented, from para- + nous mind

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for paranoia

• soya

Kids 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