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
While the latter project captures a moment of geopolitical paranoia, the new film finds the planet inching toward the brink of destruction without any outside help.
—
Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
Anchored by a mesmerizing lead performance from Cemre Paksoy, the film blends scam-call paranoia, erotic fixation, and existential dread into a vision that’s difficult to shake even in a trailer that’s barely two minutes long.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 11 June 2026
The criteria include frantic efforts to avoid abandonment, having unstable relationships, identity disturbance, impulsive behavior, chronic feelings of emptiness, intense anger, emotional instability, paranoia or dissociation under stress, and recurrent suicidal behavior or self-harm.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 11 June 2026
It is described as tackling ideas of activism, paranoia, and nihilism in the form of a philosophical thriller.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for paranoia
Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
Anchored by a mesmerizing lead performance from Cemre Paksoy, the film blends scam-call paranoia, erotic fixation, and existential dread into a vision that’s difficult to shake even in a trailer that’s barely two minutes long.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 11 June 2026
The criteria include frantic efforts to avoid abandonment, having unstable relationships, identity disturbance, impulsive behavior, chronic feelings of emptiness, intense anger, emotional instability, paranoia or dissociation under stress, and recurrent suicidal behavior or self-harm.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 11 June 2026
It is described as tackling ideas of activism, paranoia, and nihilism in the form of a philosophical thriller.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for paranoia
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paranoia
Noun
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For young children, anxiety might show up as physical complaints like tummy aches or headaches, while older kids may feel nervous and struggle to concentrate.—
Kimberly Zapata,
Parents,
14 June 2026
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Tasks can include smelling dangerously high or low glucose levels, smelling mood swings, anxiety and depression, smelling an impending seizure and many other tasks.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
14 June 2026
Noun
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Disney is betting that this universal concern will drive audiences to the film.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
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From Lowell to Los Angeles, there are coast to coast concerns about what these data centers can do to the environment.—
David Wade,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Noun
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Three weeks into his third season, Smith was involved in a single-car accident and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and possession of marijuana.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 June 2026
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In 2013 he was involved in a single-vehicle accident and subsequently was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and possession of marijuana.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
14 June 2026
Noun
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Another daughter's response was simple disbelief.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
18 June 2026
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The maritime sector is treating the news with something closer to wary disbelief than celebration.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paranoia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paranoia. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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