schizophrenia

noun

Definition of schizophrenianext
as in dementia
technical a very serious mental illness in which someone cannot think or behave normally and often experiences delusions

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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 schizophrenia Dominguez, diagnosed with schizophrenia, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the stabbing deaths of David Breaux and Karim Abou Najm. — Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026 Mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia may alter mood or perception. — Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026 Many of the physical aggressions KFF Health News identified in CMS inspection reports were perpetrated by residents with diagnoses of dementia, schizophrenia, or other cognitive disorders. — Jordan Rau, NPR, 19 July 2026 Some of these same genes are also linked to neurological disorders including schizophrenia, dyslexia, and autism. — Quanta Magazine, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for schizophrenia
Recent Examples of Synonyms for schizophrenia
  1. dementia
  2. psychosis
  3. paranoia
  4. neurosis
  5. hallucinosis
  6. hypomania
  7. mania
  8. insanity
Noun
  • Teri passed away in October 2012 after a long illness due to dementia.
    — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Earlier research indicated that estrogen-only HRT might actually increase dementia risk, especially if started after age 65.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of dementia
Noun
  • The defense does not dispute that Lindsay killed her children but argues that she was overmedicated and suffering from postpartum psychosis, leaving her not criminally responsible.
    — Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Heavy use can bring on a range of problems, including paranoia, psychosis, seizures, cardiovascular problems, and even death.
    — Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of psychosis
Noun
  • Heavy use can bring on a range of problems, including paranoia, psychosis, seizures, cardiovascular problems, and even death.
    — Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 18 Aug. 2026
  • That film, about a Kosovan immigrant grappling with paranoia after a string of menacing events, was loosely inspired by the director’s own experience.
    — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of paranoia
Noun
  • Wonders is also terrific, a ball of neuroses and repression, envious of Elliot’s exploits.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026
  • Think back to the images of our dying planet in Interstellar, or the apocalyptic neuroses that course through Oppenheimer.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 17 July 2026
Definition of neurosis
Noun
  • Boes was working with a patient who had a rare disorder called peduncular hallucinosis, in which damage to the thalamus, a structure at the center of the brain, causes visual hallucinations.
    — Grace Huckins, Wired, 17 Aug. 2020
Definition of hallucinosis
Noun
  • Schizoaffective disorder is a mental health condition that is marked by a mix of schizophrenia symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, and mood disorder symptoms, such as depression, mania and a milder form of mania called hypomania, according to the Mayo Clinic.
    — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026
  • The imbalance in this case is going to be that hypomania is much less scanned during initial training by the AI than the day-to-day conditions, such as depression and anxiety.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
Definition of hypomania
Noun
  • People who report a history of sleep loss that triggers mania are much more likely to develop postpartum psychosis, and a person with a previous experience with postpartum psychosis is more likely to have it again.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Dukes told jurors that Clancy expressed concerns about being addicted to benzodiazepines, but did not show obvious signs of mania or psychosis.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of mania
Noun
  • Yates was eventually found not guilty by reason of insanity and remains committed to a state mental health facility.
    — Deborah Becker, NPR, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Ulrich plays the enigmatic and manipulative cult leader, who pleads insanity and claims to be taking his commands directly from God.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of insanity

Browse Nearby Words

schizoid
schizophrenia
schizophrenic
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Cite this Entry

“Schizophrenia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/schizophrenia. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on schizophrenia

Nglish: Translation of schizophrenia for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about schizophrenia

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