paranoia

[ par-uh-noi-uh ]
See synonyms for paranoia on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. Psychiatry. a mental disorder characterized by systematized delusions and the projection of personal conflicts, which are ascribed to the supposed hostility of others, sometimes progressing to disturbances of consciousness and aggressive acts believed to be performed in self-defense or as a mission.

  2. baseless or excessive suspicion of the motives of others.

Origin of paranoia

1
First recorded in 1805–15; from New Latin, from Greek paránoia “madness,” from paráno(os) “demented” (equivalent to para-1 + nous ) + -ia -ia
  • Also Archaic, par·a·noe·a [par-uh-nee-uh] /ˌpær əˈni ə/ .

Words Nearby paranoia

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use paranoia in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for paranoia

paranoia

/ (ˌpærəˈnɔɪə) /


noun
  1. a form of schizophrenia characterized by a slowly progressive deterioration of the personality, involving delusions and often hallucinations

  2. a mental disorder characterized by any of several types of delusions, in which the personality otherwise remains relatively intact

  1. informal intense fear or suspicion, esp when unfounded

Origin of paranoia

1
C19: via New Latin from Greek: frenzy, from paranoos distraught, from para- 1 + noos mind

Derived forms of paranoia

  • paranoiac (ˌpærəˈnɔɪɪk) or paranoic (ˌpærəˈnəʊɪk), adjective, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for paranoia

paranoia

[ (par-uh-noy-uh) ]


A form of psychosis marked by delusions of persecution and of grandeur. One who suffers from paranoia is paranoid.

Notes for paranoia

In popular terminology, a “paranoid” personality is characterized by suspicion and distrust of others; a tendency to look for hidden meaning behind other people's actions; argumentativeness; complaining; low tolerance for criticism; and a constant display of one's own talents, accomplishments, independence, and rationality.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.