as in anxiety
a feeling that one does not know the whole truth or that someone else is not being truthful
Each half of the unhappy couple was constantly wracked with paranoia that the other was cheating.
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Recent Examples of paranoia
Within the parameters of a game—where non-player characters essentially function as different disguises for, and manifestations of, a single narrative engine—such paranoia might not be unjustified.
—
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
Between the jealousy, paranoia, and a shocking cake-cutting scene that'd give any wedding planner a lifetime of nightmares, The Girlfriend puts a soapy, sexy, scary spin on well-trodden monster-in-law territory.
—Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Apr. 2026
Less commonly, some people experience psychotic symptoms, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, paranoia, confusion or emotional distress.
—Hollis Karoly, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2026
The drug triggered severe dopamine spikes that could lead to violence, paranoia, psychosis and death.
—Jonathan Corum, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paranoia
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
Between the jealousy, paranoia, and a shocking cake-cutting scene that'd give any wedding planner a lifetime of nightmares, The Girlfriend puts a soapy, sexy, scary spin on well-trodden monster-in-law territory.
—Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Apr. 2026
Less commonly, some people experience psychotic symptoms, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, paranoia, confusion or emotional distress.
—Hollis Karoly, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2026
The drug triggered severe dopamine spikes that could lead to violence, paranoia, psychosis and death.
—Jonathan Corum, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paranoia
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paranoia
Noun
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Mergen said recruitment to the DOJ had become harder over his decades there, as government shutdowns created anxiety about working at the department, and as nonprofits became more competitive in their salaries.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2026
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Where academic pressures run high, so does the money and the parental anxiety.—
Catherine Thorbecke,
Boston Herald,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Those who have adopted its use for shopping are driven primarily by convenience and efficiency, but many are constrained by concerns around trust and authenticity.—
Amy O’Brien,
Vogue,
22 Apr. 2026
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Scott’s fellow Democrats ousted him from his post as ranking minority member on the Agriculture Committee in 2024 amid concerns about his age and health.—
Bill Barrow,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Mandelson was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct tied to his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein and allegedly passing sensitive government information.—
Jill Lawless,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
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Arrested for suspicion of drunken driving in December.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Opposition politicians expressed disbelief that Starmer could have been unaware Mandelson had failed security vetting.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
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While back in Melrose Park, neighbors were in disbelief.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paranoia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paranoia. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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