as in paranoid
having or showing a very nervous or disordered state of mind
Her neurotic tendencies tend to manifest in her obsessive need for cleanliness. Our dog is a bit neurotic; she tends to panic around strangers.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of neurotic
Zombieland makes its post-apocalyptic setting, where the undead lurk around every corner, look like a pretty fun hang, following Jesse Eisenberg's neurotic Columbus and his traveling companions (Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin) as they road-trip across the country seeking refuge.
—
James Grebey, Time, 20 June 2025
Small dogs were also found to be the most neurotic breeds while the extremely large dogs were exceedingly stable.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
Male cats with more neurotic personalities tended to sniff each tube repetitively.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 28 May 2025
Many times, strong business leaders like Jack Welch, Lee Iacocca, Indra Nooyi, Steve Jobs, Ursula Burns and hundreds of others are labeled neurotic, angry and worse.
—Ashutosh Labroo, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for neurotic
James Grebey, Time, 20 June 2025
Small dogs were also found to be the most neurotic breeds while the extremely large dogs were exceedingly stable.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
Male cats with more neurotic personalities tended to sniff each tube repetitively.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 28 May 2025
Many times, strong business leaders like Jack Welch, Lee Iacocca, Indra Nooyi, Steve Jobs, Ursula Burns and hundreds of others are labeled neurotic, angry and worse.
—Ashutosh Labroo, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for neurotic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for neurotic
paranoid
Adjective
-
One of Nicole Mitchell’s aunts testified that Carol Mitchell’s communications became increasingly paranoid in the months following the death of her husband Rod Mitchell.—
Ingrid Harbo,
Twin Cities,
17 July 2025
-
Ruiz’s father told San Antonio Express-News that his son had been exhibiting signs of a mental disorder, including having hallucinations and making paranoid accusations, in the days leading up to the stabbing.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Neurotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neurotic. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share