What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
paranoia
Example
His paranoia made him believe that everyone was out to get him. [paranoia: noun]
Example
She was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. [paranoid: adjective]
fear
Example
I have a fear of heights. [fear: noun]
Example
She feared for her safety when walking alone at night. [feared: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fear is more commonly used than paranoia in everyday language. Fear is a natural and healthy response to potential harm or danger, and it is a common emotion experienced by most people. In contrast, paranoia is less common and often associated with mental health disorders.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between paranoia and fear?
Both paranoia and fear can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, paranoia is more likely to be associated with a clinical or medical tone, while fear is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels.
