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
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.
Because without them, we are often left with a patient who is terrified, paranoid, screaming, or striking out — and a family that is exhausted, helpless, and scared. Dr. Sabooh Mubbashar, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2025 A lot of her friends were quite paranoid about everything. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Apr. 2025 But even in his wildest or most paranoid moments, Lennon probably never fully imagined that the America of 1972 would foreshadow the country more than 50 years later. David Browne, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2025 Then, another move by China's increasingly paranoid censors prompted Chai's return to journalism. Wenxin Fan, NPR, 11 Apr. 2025 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

Cite this Entry

“Paranoid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paranoid. Accessed 14 May. 2025.

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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