paranoid

adjective

para·​noid ˈper-ə-ˌnȯid How to pronounce paranoid (audio)
ˌpa-rə-
variants or less commonly paranoidal
ˌper-ə-ˈnȯi-dᵊl How to pronounce paranoid (audio)
ˌpa-rə-
Synonyms of paranoid
1
: characterized by or resembling paranoia or paranoid schizophrenia
a paranoid psychiatric patient
2
: characterized by suspiciousness, persecutory trends, or megalomania
behaving in a paranoid manner with accusations of persecutions
3
: extremely fearful
was so paranoid that he was afraid to walk the streets
paranoid noun

Examples of paranoid in a Sentence

I guess I was just being paranoid. She's a little paranoid about her job. It's nothing more than a paranoid fantasy.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
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 Hig thaws out a bit when an emergency landing drops him in the orbit of a paranoid rancher (Guy Pearce) and his daughter, Cima (Margaret Qualley). — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026 The result is a sprawling theory combining paranoid interpretations of current events with historical conspiracies. — Matthew N. Hannah, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for paranoid

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of paranoid was in 1901

Phrases Containing paranoid

Rhymes for paranoid

See All Rhymes for paranoid

Browse Nearby Words

paranoia
paranoid
paranoid schizophrenia
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Paranoid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paranoid. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

paranoid

1 of 2 adjective
para·​noid
ˈpar-ə-ˌnȯid
1
: resembling paranoia
2
: marked especially by suspiciousness, distrust, and feelings of persecution
3
: extremely fearful
grew paranoid about losing her job

paranoid

2 of 2 noun
: one who is paranoid

Medical Definition

paranoid

1 of 2 adjective
para·​noid ˈpar-ə-ˌnȯid How to pronounce paranoid (audio)
variants also paranoidal
ˌpar-ə-ˈnȯid-ᵊl How to pronounce paranoid (audio)
1
: characterized by or resembling paranoia or paranoid schizophrenia
2
: characterized by suspiciousness, persecutory trends, or megalomania

paranoid

2 of 2 noun
: one affected with paranoia or paranoid schizophrenia

called also paranoiac

More from Merriam-Webster on paranoid

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for paranoid

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