Basic Details
Word: Paranoid
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Feeling very worried or scared that something bad is going to happen or that people are trying to harm you, even without good reason.
Synonyms: Distrustful, suspicious, anxious
Antonyms: Trustful, calm, confident
Idioms and Phrases
- Paranoid about something: Being overly worried or scared about a specific issue. Example: "She was paranoid about losing her wallet and checked it every few minutes."
- Caught in a paranoid spiral: Getting increasingly anxious and worrying about every little thing. Example: "After reading scary news, he found himself caught in a paranoid spiral, imagining the worst."
Usage Examples
Example 1: His paranoid thoughts made it hard for him to trust anyone around him.
Example 2: She often feels paranoid when she watches horror movies late at night.
Example 3: His friends were supportive, reminding him that there was no reason to be paranoid about his presentations.
Fun Fact
The term "paranoid" comes from the Greek word "paranoia," which means "madness" or "mental illness" and was first used in medical terminology in the 19th century to describe certain mental health conditions.
Famous Quote
"Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you." - Joseph Heller
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "paranoid" mean?
a) Feeling calm and relaxed
b) Feeling worried and scared
c) Feeling excited and happy
d) Feeling very tired
Answer: b) Feeling worried and scared
2. Which of these is a synonym of "paranoid"?
a) Trustful
b) Anxious
c) Brave
d) Happy
Answer: b) Anxious
3. What is the opposite of "paranoid"?
a) Nervous
b) Trustful
c) Suspicious
d) Distrustful
Answer: b) Trustful
4. Which sentence uses "paranoid" correctly?
a) The paranoid cat chased its own tail.
b) She is paranoid about going outside alone at night.
c) He made a paranoid cake for the party.
d) They enjoyed a paranoid picnic at the park.
Answer: b) She is paranoid about going outside alone at night.
5. What does "caught in a paranoid spiral" mean?
a) Feeling extremely happy
b) Getting increasingly anxious
c) Being very relaxed
d) Enjoying a fun activity
Answer: b) Getting increasingly anxious
