as in anxiety
a feeling that one does not know the whole truth or that someone else is not being truthful
Each half of the unhappy couple was constantly wracked with paranoia that the other was cheating.
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Recent Examples of paranoia
The genesis for some of the paranoia stemmed from the secret government programs producing new kinds of technology with catastrophic implications.
—
Ginia Bellafante, New York Times, 20 Dec. 2024
The family also described a history of paranoia and that Bonaccorso had expressed thoughts of taking his own life, according to records of that investigation.
—Vanessa Swales, Journal Sentinel, 11 Dec. 2024
The descent into paranoia is both deeply unsettling...and frighteningly familiar.
—Travis Bean, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
The 1950s arguably produced the most classic science fiction films, fed by post-World War II paranoia over the hydrogen bomb, rapid technological change, fear of Soviet expansion and communist infiltration of American society.
—Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for paranoia 
Ginia Bellafante, New York Times, 20 Dec. 2024
The family also described a history of paranoia and that Bonaccorso had expressed thoughts of taking his own life, according to records of that investigation.
—Vanessa Swales, Journal Sentinel, 11 Dec. 2024
The descent into paranoia is both deeply unsettling...and frighteningly familiar.
—Travis Bean, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
The 1950s arguably produced the most classic science fiction films, fed by post-World War II paranoia over the hydrogen bomb, rapid technological change, fear of Soviet expansion and communist infiltration of American society.
—Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for paranoia
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paranoia
Noun
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Then the widespread anxiety spurred by a wave of high-profile robberies and the deadly home-invasion of Jacqueline Avant.—
Gary Baum,
The Hollywood Reporter,
18 Jan. 2025
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The situation caused Campbell a lot of anxiety, but became a pivotal shift in her perspective.—
Kait Hanson,
Glamour,
18 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Trump has also expressed opposition to a looming ban on TikTok after earlier having supported a law requiring its Chinese parent company to divest its U.S. operations over national security concerns.—
Jennifer Jett,
NBC News,
17 Jan. 2025
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Where would it be based? Lazarus sought to assuage some of those concerns in the Tuesday morning meeting.—
Alex Weprin,
The Hollywood Reporter,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Virgil Thew, 47, was arrested and charged with three counts of first-degree intentional homicide in suspicion of fatally shooting a 33-year-old woman and two girls, ages 12 and 13, at a home in New Lisbon, Wis., authorities said.—
Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports,
arkansasonline.com,
11 Jan. 2025
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While officials have yet to confirm whether arson is responsible for the widespread fires, suspicions of intentional ignition have circulated widely on social media.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
Newsweek,
10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Across the land, a willing suspension of disbelief has taken hold.—
David Remnick,
The New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2025
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The dad continued and Flynn stood back in disbelief.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
Newsweek,
11 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near paranoia
Cite this Entry
“Paranoia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paranoia. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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