English vocabulary · B2
Paranoia
/ˌpær.əˈnɔɪ.ə/ · n.
A strong fear you are being watched or targeted. It is not real.
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Example sentences
- His paranoia made him check the locks ten times.
- Her paranoia cost her every friend she had.
Word origin and roots
from Greek
- para — beyond (from Greek)
- noia — mind (from Greek)
Synonyms and nuances
- SUSPICION (doubting others' intentions without cause)
- DREAD (fear of a threat feels overwhelming)
- DISTRUST (confidence in others has collapsed)
Words with the same root
para — beyond
- paradox — a statement that seems to go beyond logic but may be true
- parasite — an organism that lives beyond normal bounds on another's resources
- parallel — running beside and never meeting
Lesson notes
Paranoia. It means a strong fear you are being watched or targeted. It is not real.
Similar words are suspicion, dread, and distrust. Use paranoia when the fear is not real.
His paranoia made him check the locks ten times. Her paranoia cost her every friend she had.
From Greek. Para means beyond. Noia means mind. When fear goes beyond the mind's control, that is paranoia.