PARANOIAS Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

paranoia

noun

Definition of paranoia

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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of paranoia This causes paranoia and betrayal among his followers, where his sister Winter (Billie Lourd) meets her fate. — Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 Sep. 2026 The real problem is that their alien visitor can take the form of anyone around them, leading to one of the best films ever made about paranoia and distrust. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2026 Later on, when King Saul was hunting David out of paranoia, David made some rash decisions. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 18 Sep. 2026 The best psychological thrillers use their characters’ paranoia and uncertainty to create similar feelings of dread and doubt in their viewers. — David Faris, TheWeek, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for paranoia

Recent Examples of Synonyms for paranoia

Noun

When the line between general unease with not knowing crosses into anxiety that interferes with daily life, people should seek professional help, said Dugas.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Given Abbey’s anxieties about spending money and fear of not having enough, Stacy plans to use very conservative assumptions for inflation, health costs and average returns when making her projections based on Abbey’s savings today.

— Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of anxiety

Noun

Mental health experts have voiced concerns about chatbots’ sycophancy, lack of clinical nuance, and ability to reinforce delusional beliefs.

— Andrew R. Chow, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
The deal drew concern from legislators and delivery drivers, who worried about reduced competition.

— Jay Ganglani, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of concern

Noun

Given that the dynamic between Europe and Russia is now characterized by pervasive mutual suspicion, conspiracy theories, and expectations of war, there is a growing danger of inadvertent escalation.

— Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2026
Anxiety and suspicion about robot infiltrators are everywhere — and so are people claiming to hunt the robots down.

— T.M. Brown, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of suspicion

Noun

The French woke up in a state of shock and disbelief on Monday, after weekend demonstrations over education and the cost-of-living crisis spiraled into violence.

— Colette Davidson, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2026
Our server reads our order back to us, shaking his head in theatrical disbelief.

— Meredith Maran, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of disbelief

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Style

“Paranoia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paranoia. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of paranoia

noun

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