paranoia
[par-uh-noi-uh]
- 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.
- baseless or excessive suspicion of the motives of others.
Also par·a·noe·a [par-uh-nee-uh] /ˌpær əˈni ə/.
Origin of paranoia
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for paranoia
Contemporary Examples
Against this paranoia of recent history, Frank takes the long view that all disasters and destruction are natural.
Those who dream of a post-partisan future should note that paranoia has a habit of erasing traditional political boundaries.
That, in the absence of an explanation as to why, paranoia takes over.
As my paranoia deepened, I became convinced that I had died and no one was telling me.
Maureen Dowd: ‘I Love’ Pot Billboard Using My Image, Will Use It for Christmas CardAbby Haglage
September 17, 2014
As fears of the virus hitting Europe intensify, health officials warn that paranoia and racial profiling may grow, as well.
Historical Examples
Their wives then become martyrs, especially in cases of alcoholism and paranoia.
The Sexual QuestionAugust Forel
Nrana did not know the words for delirium and paranoia, but he could distinguish between them.
Happy EndingFredric Brown
He thought the paranoia was an improvement over the wider madness.
Happy EndingFredric Brown
Many of our crowd-phenomena belong, like paranoia, to this last class.
The Behavior of CrowdsEverett Dean Martin
And all the while eyeing the new and the foreign with the paranoia that is the result of true guilt.
After the RainSam Vaknin
paranoia
- a form of schizophrenia characterized by a slowly progressive deterioration of the personality, involving delusions and often hallucinations
- a mental disorder characterized by any of several types of delusions, in which the personality otherwise remains relatively intact
- informal intense fear or suspicion, esp when unfounded
Word Origin
C19: via New Latin from Greek: frenzy, from paranoos distraught, from para- 1 + noos mind
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
Word Origin and History for paranoia
n.
"mental disorder characterized by systematized delusions," 1848 (earlier paranoea 1811), from Greek paranoia "mental derangement, madness," from paranoos "mentally ill, insane," from para- "beside, beyond" (see para- (1)) + noos "mind."
FOR several years frequent descriptions have been given in the foreign journals, especially German and Italian, of the forms of insanity designated by the names Paranoia, Verrücktkeit, and Wahnsinn. ["Paranoia -- Systematized Delusions and Mental Degenerations," J. Séglas (transl. William Noyes), 1888]
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
paranoia
(păr′ə-noi′ə)
- A psychotic disorder characterized by systematized delusions, especially of persecution or grandeur, in the absence of other personality disorders.
- Extreme, irrational distrust of others.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
paranoia
[(par-uh-noy-uh)]
Note
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.