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 Other therapies focus on teaching strategies to better understand the emotions and motivations of others and help people with schizophrenia avoid jumping to negative conclusions. — Matthew Kurtz, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026 The argument against inclusion is that there are not enough consistent studies to determine whether postpartum psychosis is part of an underlying mental health issue such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. — Deborah Becker, NPR, 16 Aug. 2026 Four days after the arrest, sources confirmed to Rolling Stone that Nick had been treated for schizophrenia before the shocking double homicide. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2026 In the last three decades, as involuntary outpatient treatment for people with serious mental health conditions like schizophrenia have expanded to almost every state, the evidence for these programs’ efficacy has remained murky. — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 4 Aug. 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
  • Postpartum psychosis is a rare but serious medical emergency characterized by severe, rapid onset psychiatric episodes such as mania, depression, delusions or hallucinations.
    — Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Symptoms include anxiety, hypervigilance, confusion and mania, and taking on activities that might be considered strange.
    — Deborah Becker, NPR, 16 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 24 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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