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 That applies to everyone from paranoid conspiracy theorists to presidents. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026 In outline, these are elegant Bond-villain machines for faceless, leaderless, pervasive espionage and assassination, the stuff of paranoid nightmares and stochastic violence. — Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026 The result is a sprawling theory combining paranoid interpretations of current events with historical conspiracies. — Matthew N. Hannah, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026 These women can become depressed, isolated, paranoid — convinced their thinning hair is all other people see. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for paranoid

Recent Examples of Synonyms for paranoid

Adjective

Not that the type of people staying here are worried about getting anywhere; this is the private car and driver, door-to-door service type of clientele.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
But instead of celebrating that success, Andi is worried she’ll be seen as an opportunist rather than a legitimate co-author.

— Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of worried

Adjective

Arellano contends that Becerra should project a more forceful, less cautious persona, drawing on the immigrant and working-class experience of Latino families.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Be cautious with financial ventures before taking unnecessary risks.

— Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of cautious

Adjective

Nick wants to be careful about their firm’s spending, but Serena reminds him that Cathcarts has every resource at its disposal.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
The Iranian regime will need to be careful before launching such an attack, or even before undertaking lesser forms of escalation.

— Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of careful

Adjective

The conservative-majority Supreme Court has been skeptical of environmental regulations in the past, including in a 2022 decision limiting the EPA's authority to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from power plants.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
And while The Atlantic has published largely skeptical coverage of major AI companies and their products’ impact on society, Thompson’s tone, in his podcasts and LinkedIn posts, has been more optimistic.

— Max Tani, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of skeptical

Adjective

Everyone was in a good mood, if a little nervous about what was going to be discussed.

— Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
Alberto Hernandez Castillo, a Cuban national with lawful permanent residence in the United States, was also acting nervous, the agent said.

— David Goodhue October 6, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of nervous

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 7 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of paranoid

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

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