paranoid
adjective
para·noid
ˈper-ə-ˌnȯid 
ˌpa-rə-
variants
or less commonly paranoidal
ˌper-ə-ˈnȯi-dᵊl
ˌpa-rə-
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
In the fifties, people would have been paranoid that the Soviets were spying on them with satellites.
—
Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 11 July 2024
People are more paranoid and less trusting of each other.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 6 July 2024
Dervish's attorney wanted his client to be found guilty except insane, telling the jury Dervish did not know right from wrong and was psychotic, paranoid and delusional.
—Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 24 June 2024
Planning for the summit was shrouded in secrecy as befits two leaders long known for being paranoid about security and assassination attempts.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 18 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for paranoid 
Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 11 July 2024
People are more paranoid and less trusting of each other.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 6 July 2024
Dervish's attorney wanted his client to be found guilty except insane, telling the jury Dervish did not know right from wrong and was psychotic, paranoid and delusional.
—Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 24 June 2024
Planning for the summit was shrouded in secrecy as befits two leaders long known for being paranoid about security and assassination attempts.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 18 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for paranoid
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'paranoid.' 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 paranoid
Cite this Entry
“Paranoid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paranoid. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
paranoid
1 of 2 adjective
para·noid
ˈpar-ə-ˌnȯid
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
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