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
Another glaring manifestation of the Kremlin’s increasing paranoia occurred during the May 9, 2026, Victory Day parade in Moscow.
—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 23 May 2026
But there is a growing sense of paranoia in Moscow, with security around the president tightened amid rumors of coup plots.
—Sebastian Shukla, CNN Money, 23 May 2026
Poverty, unemployment and a constant state of paranoia have driven them to feel like they are trapped inside an artificial set, where every element in their lives feels fake and orchestrated by an ominpresent Big Brother-like business known as ALMA (Almighty Limitless Megacorporative Agency).
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 15 May 2026
This extreme trust sits uneasily against an extreme paranoia about our gadgets.
—Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for paranoia
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 23 May 2026
But there is a growing sense of paranoia in Moscow, with security around the president tightened amid rumors of coup plots.
—Sebastian Shukla, CNN Money, 23 May 2026
Poverty, unemployment and a constant state of paranoia have driven them to feel like they are trapped inside an artificial set, where every element in their lives feels fake and orchestrated by an ominpresent Big Brother-like business known as ALMA (Almighty Limitless Megacorporative Agency).
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 15 May 2026
This extreme trust sits uneasily against an extreme paranoia about our gadgets.
—Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for paranoia
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paranoia
Noun
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The Tonys are a place to put on a brave face, but will the anxiety creep in?—
Vulture Editors,
Vulture,
8 June 2026
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Acting as both tour guide and impromptu airplane anxiety therapist is all part of the job for Swanstrom.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
Noun
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After years of planning, anticipation, hype and a growing concern over high ticket prices and immigration restrictions, the largest World Cup in history kicks off on Thursday in Mexico City and will run through July 19 across 16 cities in Mexico, the United States and Canada.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
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The document also noted additional concerns.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Noun
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After receiving medical treatment, the driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, Hamilton said.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
7 June 2026
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One person was injured and taken to the hospital, and a 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of first-degree assault, police said.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Yoon’s wife echoes, her voice sharp with disbelief.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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Otherwise, Makar will be wincing through pain trying to explain the unfathomable, Blackwood will be dropping F-bombs in disbelief and MacKinnon will be ducking reporters despite being the team’s best player.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paranoia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paranoia. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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