paranoid

American  

[par-uh-noid] / ˈpær əˌnɔɪd /

Archaic, paranoiac;

adjective

1. of, like, or experiencing paranoia.

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noun

1. a person with paranoia.

Usage

What does paranoid mean? Paranoid is an adjective used to describe someone who has the mental disorder paranoia, which is characterized by delusions and feelings of extreme distrust, suspicion, and being targeted by others. Such thoughts and actions can also be described as paranoid.Paranoid is also commonly used more generally to mean overly suspicious or irrationally distrustful of others. It’s important to understand that while paranoid is used generally outside of its psychiatric usage in a way that makes it seem less serious, being paranoid is a major symptom of disorders like paranoid schizophrenia and paranoid personality disorder.Example: Just because I lock my doors at night doesn’t mean I’m being paranoid—it just means I’m being cautious.

Etymology

Origin of paranoid

First recorded in 1900–05; paranoi(a) + -oid, with base and suffix merged, perhaps by shortening of the expected but unrecorded paranoioid

Example Sentences

But when in October 2020 he developed schizophrenia with paranoid delusions, his colleagues took him to St Thomas' Hospital in London and his contract was terminated.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

Foreign policy analysts would normally consider distraction to be a lazy and unprofessional explanation for major actions like wars, if not a symptom of paranoid conspiracy thinking.

From Salon • Mar. 14, 2026

He was very paranoid, asking staff to witness their conversation.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 27, 2026

“Only the paranoid survive,” added Lake, who is among the leaders viewed as a potential successor to Dimon.

From Barron's • Feb. 24, 2026

Ever since Apa had to go four times to clear up some mistake with Joon’s Social Security number, he has become paranoid that people are trying to trick him.

From "A Step from Heaven" by An Na