PARANOIA Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

paranoia

noun

Definition of paranoia

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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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 paranoia Reading it immediately quells, or at least quelled my own, paranoia at being alone in the middle of the forest—nobody is getting got here, there’s a gate that only opens if the concierge approves of your face, voice, and name. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026 Our national paranoia has intensified exponentially since, fed by the internet’s ability to propagate conspiracy theories as clickbait. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026 Midnight Madness also has a first look for Kick On, an action horror thriller from Nick Kozakis, and about a night of partying by four friends descending into a spiral of paranoia, violence and betrayals. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026 The intensity of his sexuality warps his mind, while the mandate of secrecy feeds his paranoia. — Leo Lasdun, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for paranoia

Recent Examples of Synonyms for paranoia

Noun

As economic anxiety reshapes American masculinity, a growing subculture of young and working-class men is turning to maxxing out their bodies as a way to reclaim value in a labor market that increasingly devalues physical work.

— Michael Kimmel, Time, 15 Aug. 2026
In other writings found on her cellphone, Clancy detailed her anxiety and depression, challenges raising her children and her hesitation to take new medication.

— Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of anxiety

Noun

The Lincoln has been at sea for an extended deployment during the Iran war, which sparked concerns among lawmakers and military families after reports of the crew’s worsening mental health and conditions aboard.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
In Utah, training starts with the basics of how AI works to teach an understanding of AI bias, hallucinations, ethical concerns and data privacy needs, Winters said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of concern

Noun

JonBenét’s involvement in beauty pageants became fodder for tabloids, suspicion surrounded her parents even after they had been cleared as suspects, and numerous theories developed regarding who killed her.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Aug. 2026
Still, the response — or lack thereof — prompted suspicions among Republican lawmakers in Washington.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of suspicion

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paranoia

paranoiac

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“Paranoia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paranoia. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of paranoia

noun

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