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.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of paranoid
Losses were imposed on non-tech companies too, as investors became paranoid about how much damage AI might inflict upon sectors like trucking, real estate, and finance.
—
Jim Edwards, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
And stay vigilant — not paranoid, but aware of your surroundings.
—Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
By the way, the last scene of The Conversation has the paranoid Gene Hackman destroying his apartment in a desperate and futile search for listening devices.
—Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2026
Natalie is paranoid about having taken food from Stephen.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paranoid
Jim Edwards, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
And stay vigilant — not paranoid, but aware of your surroundings.
—Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
By the way, the last scene of The Conversation has the paranoid Gene Hackman destroying his apartment in a desperate and futile search for listening devices.
—Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2026
Natalie is paranoid about having taken food from Stephen.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paranoid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paranoid
Adjective
-
The Knicks have their backup center on a regimented resting plan, and because of that, people within the team don’t seem worried about the drop-off in Robinson’s defensive output thus far.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
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Sam the toucan has been living in Las Vegas since November, much to the concern of bird experts and enthusiasts who were worried about the exotic bird's health and his ability to survive long-term in a city with drastic weather changes.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The news was a bitter blow for Everton and Branthwaite, with the club’s medical team having taken a cautious approach to his rehabilitation.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
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There are genuine reasons for cautious optimism.—
Gerald Bradshaw,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Stirring frequently, cook until garlic is a deep golden brown, being careful not to burn it, about 5 minutes.—
C.W. Cameron,
AJC.com,
21 Feb. 2026
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Once the heavy portion is removed, finish with a clean cut where the branch meets the trunk, being careful not to injure the branch collar.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Commenters are divided, with some agreeing wholeheartedly and others skeptical.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
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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
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Almonds, chestnuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, chia, and flax are rich in magnesium and omega-3s, helping to support nervous-system and hormonal balance.—
Mélanie Defouilloy,
Vogue,
24 Feb. 2026
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And to be perfectly fair, nervous gratuitous laughter at stupid jokes is not unknown among anyone, including the press corps.—
John Shipley,
Twin Cities,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paranoid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paranoid. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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