variants
also paranoidal
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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
Natalie is paranoid about having taken food from Stephen.
—
Tom Smyth, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
The paranoia that now governs American life echoes the paranoid logic of the domestic thriller.
—Judy Berman, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
Is Laura being paranoid, or is Cherry actually set on destroying Laura’s life?
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Jan. 2026
For Hasan as well, this round of unrest felt different, reflecting both the brutality of an increasingly paranoid regime and a new level of public anger and appetite for confrontation.
—Sarah Dean, CNN Money, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paranoid
Tom Smyth, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
The paranoia that now governs American life echoes the paranoid logic of the domestic thriller.
—Judy Berman, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
Is Laura being paranoid, or is Cherry actually set on destroying Laura’s life?
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Jan. 2026
For Hasan as well, this round of unrest felt different, reflecting both the brutality of an increasingly paranoid regime and a new level of public anger and appetite for confrontation.
—Sarah Dean, CNN Money, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paranoid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paranoid
Adjective
-
While the consequences of skipping routine medical care may not always be immediate, Muthyala said providers are worried about the downstream impact all of this will have on the health of the community.—
Lauren Mascarenhas,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Some were worried about not competing for championships because of being out of the WPIAL.—
Chilekasi Adele,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Be cautious of ice accumulating on power lines or tree branches, which can lead to snapping and falling hazards.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Most of North and Central Texas shouldbe cautious with burning on Thursday, but the wildfire threat is less severe.—
Julia James,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
As with any sauce, be careful not to over-reduce.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Commenters are divided, with some agreeing wholeheartedly and others skeptical.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Some experts are also skeptical that Carr will ever make good on those threats through greater enforcement of the equal time provision.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Given the snowy conditions and fatigue levels, these are nervous moments for the athletes, with mere seconds separating winning from losing.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Hollywood version The team may have been extra nervous given that the previous high-profile adaptation of The House of the Spirits was a 1993 movie in English starring Hollywood actors like Meryl Streep, Glenn Close and Jeremy Irons.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paranoid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paranoid. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
