paranoia

noun

para·​noia ˌper-ə-ˈnȯi-ə How to pronounce paranoia (audio)
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 How to pronounce paranoia (audio)
-ˈnȯi-ik
ˌpa-rə-
adjective or noun
or less commonly paranoic
ˌper-ə-ˈnȯi(-i)k How to pronounce paranoia (audio)
-ˈnō-ik,
ˌpa-rə-
paranoically
ˌper-ə-ˈnȯi(-i)-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce paranoia (audio)
-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
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.
The Modern Family cast has indeed reunited in various permutations over the years — none of them inflaming fan paranoia as much as 2023's reunion-sans-Burrell. Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025 This is a show heavily interested in the way paranoia turns us all into weapons of mass destruction in our communities, especially when everyone’s looking to escape the ennui of their small-town blues. Grace Byron, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025 The invading parasite is a culture of hate and paranoia and sadism — mass hysteria as sanctioned by the government that is supposed to protect you. Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025 For all the cruelty, paranoia and oppression of the Red Scare in the 1940s and 1950s, there really were Soviet spies in America. Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 27 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for paranoia

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of paranoia was in 1887

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Paranoia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paranoia. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

paranoia

noun
para·​noia ˌpar-ə-ˈnȯi-ə How to pronounce paranoia (audio)
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 How to pronounce paranoia (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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