paranoia Definition
a mental condition characterized by delusions of persecution, unwarranted jealousy, or exaggerated self-importance, typically elaborated into an organized system. It may be an aspect of chronic personality disorder, of drug abuse, or of a serious condition such as schizophrenia in which the person loses touch with reality..
Using paranoia: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "paranoia" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
His paranoia made him believe that everyone was out to get him.
Example
She had a paranoia that her phone was being tapped.
Example
The company's security measures were driven by paranoia about industrial espionage.
Example
The politician's paranoia about the media led him to avoid all interviews.
paranoia Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using paranoia
Example
After being robbed, she had a touch of paranoia and started locking all the doors and windows.
Example
As the deadline approached, paranoia set in and he became convinced that he would fail the exam.
Example
By constantly checking his phone, she was feeding his paranoia that she was cheating on him.
Phrases with paranoia
Example
He was diagnosed with clinical paranoia and prescribed medication.
a type of paranoia where the person believes they are being persecuted or conspired against
Example
Her persecutory paranoia made her believe that her colleagues were plotting against her.
a type of paranoia where the person has delusions that are not based in reality
Example
His delusional paranoia made him believe that he was being followed by aliens.
Origins of paranoia
from Greek 'para' meaning 'beside' and 'noos' meaning 'mind'
Summary: paranoia in Brief
The term 'paranoia' [ˌpærəˈnɔɪə] refers to a mental condition characterized by delusions of persecution, unwarranted jealousy, or exaggerated self-importance, typically elaborated into an organized system. It may be an aspect of chronic personality disorder, of drug abuse, or of a serious condition such as schizophrenia in which the person loses touch with reality. 'Paranoia' extends into phrases like 'a touch of paranoia,' and idioms like 'paranoia sets in,' denoting the onset of paranoia, and 'feed someone's paranoia,' implying actions that worsen it.
