PARANOIDAL Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

paranoid

adjective

variants also paranoidal

Definition of paranoid

as in worried

having extreme or unreasonable fear or suspicion He was paranoid about break-ins and insisted on checking the locks himself every night.

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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 paranoid The Ohio artist’s first album in four years is paranoid, indulgent, and theatrical, unfolding like a dark romantasy novel. — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 29 Oct. 2026 The situation became murkier as French lawyer Suzane Blum took increasing control over the affairs of Simpson, who had become increasingly paranoid and befuddled. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 7 Oct. 2026 The bald guy lecturing me on how to get the money looked real enough, but the question of his true being kept rattling around my increasingly paranoid mind. — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2026 Hill became increasingly paranoid and developed delusions that she was being surveilled. — Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for paranoid

Recent Examples of Synonyms for paranoid

Adjective

Signs so far show Singles’ Day, China ’s biggest online shopping festival, is failing to entice worried consumers into splashing out more, even when they are offered bargains.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Nov. 2026
Additionally, The Wall Street Journal previously reported that the PMA is worried that if the watchmen went on strike, that other ILWU dockworkers would walk off the job in solidarity.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of worried

Adjective

During this time, mature bucks become increasingly active and less cautious to establish dominance within their territory.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 7 Nov. 2026
The challenge now is balancing expansion with operational discipline, particularly as Cava enters new markets and consumers become more cautious about spending.

— Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of cautious

Adjective

There’s that Japanese concept of space and pause—in the wide corridors, the uncluttered lobby, the careful symmetry.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2026
The first step was to tailor it to her size, while being careful to preserve the bespoke construction.

— Bella Webb, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of careful

Adjective

Ivan, the younger son, is doubtful and skeptical of his father, whereas Andrey, the elder, is faithful and trusting—the twin archetypes of man’s relation to the divine.

— Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
He has been joined in recent years by tax-skeptical scholars at the Manhattan Institute and Tax Foundation.

— M. Nolan Gray, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of skeptical

Browse Nearby Words

paranoiac

paranoid

paranormal

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Style

“Paranoid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paranoid. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of paranoid

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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