as in paranoid
having or showing a very nervous or disordered state of mind
Her neurotic tendencies tend to manifest in her obsessive need for cleanliness. Our dog is a bit neurotic; she tends to panic around strangers.
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Recent Examples of neurotic
People can deliberately cultivate more conscientiousness, boost their sociability or soften their neurotic edges.
—
Dave Winsborough, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Eichner’s neurotic character is there to enlist Honey in learning the details of his boyfriend’s affair.
—Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 26 Aug. 2025
The character was kind, genuine, neurotic, a bit nerdy, a hugger with a heart of gold and endearingly funny.
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Sadly, Harold Gould, who played the earthquake-fearing grandpa in the original, died in 2010, and Willie Garson, who played Tess’ neurotic patient Evan, died in 2021.
—Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for neurotic
Dave Winsborough, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Eichner’s neurotic character is there to enlist Honey in learning the details of his boyfriend’s affair.
—Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 26 Aug. 2025
The character was kind, genuine, neurotic, a bit nerdy, a hugger with a heart of gold and endearingly funny.
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Sadly, Harold Gould, who played the earthquake-fearing grandpa in the original, died in 2010, and Willie Garson, who played Tess’ neurotic patient Evan, died in 2021.
—Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for neurotic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for neurotic
paranoid
Adjective
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Matthiessen, not without reason, portrays the Bureau as paranoid, dishonest, and in league with corporate interests.—
Maggie Doherty,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
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There’s decent chemistry between Roberts and Mel Gibson in this schlocky but slick paranoid thriller.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Neurotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neurotic. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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