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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 The Stand By Me filmmaker’s son was diagnosed with schizophrenia years ago and had been treating it with medication. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026 The Times reported last year that he was prescribed medication for schizophrenia before the killings, though Greene has not raised an insanity defense. — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026 Insanity defendants are disproportionately low-income, their cases rarely reach a jury, and there’s usually no dispute about the diagnosis, which is almost invariably schizophrenia. — Ian Parker, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026 Stephan Taylor, a University of Michigan professor of psychiatry, researches the diagnosis and treatment of major psychiatric disorders like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 9 Sep. 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
  • However, human studies have not demonstrated that nicotine can prevent dementia, slow Alzheimer’s disease progression, preserve long-term cognitive function or improve outcomes in Parkinson’s disease.
    — Hasmeena Kathuria, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026
  • With science linking more health benefits to caffeine, from better heart health and a lower risk of dementia, this pathway might just be the key force behind it.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of dementia
Noun
  • The cases have brought to light a mysterious condition known as postpartum psychosis.
    — Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The trial garnered global attention for spotlighting the issue of postpartum psychosis.
    — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of psychosis
Noun
  • The real problem is that their alien visitor can take the form of anyone around them, leading to one of the best films ever made about paranoia and distrust.
    — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The best psychological thrillers use their characters’ paranoia and uncertainty to create similar feelings of dread and doubt in their viewers.
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of paranoia
Noun
  • Their bond deepens with the wry neuroses and gradually dropped defenses of many a midlife romantic comedy, though Parkinson’s complicates matters in unusual, empathetically explored ways.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026
  • But in the common vernacular of what neurosis means—someone whose life is put upon them, who feels weighted by the everyday, who struggles with unadulterated joy—that is me in a nutshell.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 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
  • People with bipolar 2 disorder experience cycles of depression and hypomania, which is less intense than the mania experienced with bipolar 1 disorder.
    — Michael Casey, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of hypomania
Noun
  • OpenAI has yet to involve people prone to psychosis or mania in improving ChatGPT safeguards.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The stock reclaimed its opening IPO print of $150, yet is still about 35% below the $225 high that followed the June 12 IPO mania.
    — Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of mania
Noun
  • Descano’s side went along with his insanity defense after approving a mental health evaluation by psychologist Eric Drogin, court records show.
    — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Eleven of the 12 jurors accepted the defense’s argument that Clancy had acute postpartum psychosis and should be found not guilty by reason of insanity.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 21 Sep. 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 27 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on schizophrenia

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about schizophrenia

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