paranoid
adjective
para·noid
ˈper-ə-ˌnȯid 
ˌpa-rə-
variants
or less commonly paranoidal
ˌper-ə-ˈnȯi-dᵊl
ˌpa-rə-
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
The two of them often complained behind each other’s backs, according to team and league sources, which established a paranoid environment at Ball Arena.
—
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 11 Apr. 2025
During the hunt, Natalie ends up colluding with Hannah, Misty, and Van to get away from an increasingly paranoid Shauna and attempt to make contact with someone who can help them.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 11 Apr. 2025
But in that time, Mr. Hemphill became increasingly paranoid.
—Taylor Tiamoyo Harris, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Isolated and fearful, Josef K grows paranoid the longer this drags on.
—Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paranoid
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.
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 11 Apr. 2025
During the hunt, Natalie ends up colluding with Hannah, Misty, and Van to get away from an increasingly paranoid Shauna and attempt to make contact with someone who can help them.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 11 Apr. 2025
But in that time, Mr. Hemphill became increasingly paranoid.
—Taylor Tiamoyo Harris, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Isolated and fearful, Josef K grows paranoid the longer this drags on.
—Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paranoid
Cite this Entry
“Paranoid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paranoid. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
paranoid
1 of 2 adjective
para·noid
ˈpar-ə-ˌnȯid
variants
also paranoidal
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share