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
However, swapping out classic sodium chloride for sodium bromide is a solid way to give yourself acne, involuntary muscle spasms, and paranoid psychosis.
—
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 14 Aug. 2025
At another time, a perpetually anxious comedian who can’t keep from ranting about his paranoid worries about the end of the world probably would not feel like such a helpful guide to life.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2025
Imogene, who seems paranoid, sounds the alarm, but he isn’t found until a fisherman rescues him.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 3 Aug. 2025
He was later diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paranoid
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Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 14 Aug. 2025
At another time, a perpetually anxious comedian who can’t keep from ranting about his paranoid worries about the end of the world probably would not feel like such a helpful guide to life.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2025
Imogene, who seems paranoid, sounds the alarm, but he isn’t found until a fisherman rescues him.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 3 Aug. 2025
He was later diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paranoid
Cite this Entry
“Paranoid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paranoid. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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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