noun
paranoia
pair-uh-NOY-uh/ˌpærəˈnɔɪə/
Unfounded suspicion or fear that others intend harm.
The resident's paranoia leads him to fear harmless neighbors outside.
Etymology
“Beside or beyond” and “mind” underlie a Greek term for mental derangement generally. The selected meaning narrows that broad idea to irrational suspicion or fear of others.
In context
This may manifest as intense paranoia, always feeling someone has ill intentions.
More examples
- The novel explores his growing paranoia.
- She recognized the accusation as a product of paranoia.
- The atmosphere of suspicion fed collective paranoia.
Forms
paranoia
Similar words
- suspicion
- Suspicion may have reasonable grounds.
- distrust
- Distrust need not involve fear of intended harm.