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 Trump’s speech tonight rested on a few solid facts submerged in wild, and even somewhat paranoid, extrapolations. — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026 Panic Carefully, described as a paranoid thriller reminiscent of Silence of the Lambs, stars Elizabeth Olsen, Julia Roberts, Eddie Redmayne, Brian Tyree Henry, Ben Chaplin, Aidan Gillen, Joe Alwyn and Naledi Murray. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026 Petty played Lolly Whitehill, a kind but mentally unstable inmate whose paranoid delusions repeatedly landed her in psychiatric care. — Gwen Ihnat, Entertainment Weekly, 11 July 2026 The actual best thing about Star City, though, is watching chapters of a wild soap opera dressed up as a paranoid spy thriller unfold week to week. — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for paranoid

Recent Examples of Synonyms for paranoid

Adjective

With more rain on the way this weekend, a Chicago children's theater is worried.

— Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 31 July 2026
With the vastly higher rate of vulnerability identification, Google is worried bad actors will also be able to identify software flaws faster.

— Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 30 July 2026

Definition of worried

Adjective

Partners and distributors are being more cautious because Anta prefers a direct-to-consumer model, Hoeld said.

— Cathrin Schaer, Footwear News, 31 July 2026
While inflation remains volatile across countries, influencing cautious planning, salary increases are relatively high compared to pre-pandemic norms.

— John M. Bremen, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of cautious

Adjective

People can and should be skeptical about the sonnets written about starting NFL quarterbacks every offseason, when no one is getting sacked and almost everyone looks good.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
After clear signs that a judge was skeptical of its defense, Paramount decided to agree to go to trial and not to close the deal before June 1, 2027, or a favorable ruling, whichever comes first.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 28 July 2026

Definition of skeptical

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paranoiac

paranoid

paranormal

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“Paranoid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paranoid. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of paranoid

adjective

Example Sentences

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