paranoia

Paranoia is a mental disorder with delusions or extreme irrational fear or distrust of others.

(noun)

An example of paranoia is someone thinking that everyone is out to get them.

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See paranoia in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

Psychiatry a mental disorder characterized by systematized delusions, as of grandeur or, esp., persecution, often, except in a schizophrenic state, with an otherwise relatively intact personality

Origin: ModL < Gr, derangement < para-, beside (see para-) + nous, the mind

See paranoia in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. A psychotic disorder characterized by delusions of persecution with or without grandeur, often strenuously defended with apparent logic and reason.
  2. Extreme, irrational distrust of others.

Origin:

Origin: Greek, madness

Origin: , from paranoos, demented

Origin: : para-, beyond; see para-1

Origin: + nous, noos, mind

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