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.
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Recent Examples of neurotic
This uber-neurotic comedian, actor, writer and now recording artist has spent the better part of two decades making audiences laugh, cringe, and cry, often within the same breath.
—
Brittany Delay, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
The original Malcolm in the Middle, in the early 2000s, starred Frankie Muniz as the analytical, neurotic protagonist narrating his family’s daily misadventures.
—Allison McClain Merrill, Parents, 8 Apr. 2026
With many original cast members returning (except Erik Per Sullivan’s Dewey, now recast with Caleb Ellsworth-Clark), Kiana Madeira joins as Malcolm’s girlfriend Tristan, while Keeley Karsten plays his similarly genius-neurotic daughter Leah.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2026
Perfectionists Nini and Jane are feeling a bit neurotic, while Darlene Mitchell helpfully steers Juicy to develop a Karen that will lean into her strengths and make Ru laugh.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for neurotic
Brittany Delay, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
The original Malcolm in the Middle, in the early 2000s, starred Frankie Muniz as the analytical, neurotic protagonist narrating his family’s daily misadventures.
—Allison McClain Merrill, Parents, 8 Apr. 2026
With many original cast members returning (except Erik Per Sullivan’s Dewey, now recast with Caleb Ellsworth-Clark), Kiana Madeira joins as Malcolm’s girlfriend Tristan, while Keeley Karsten plays his similarly genius-neurotic daughter Leah.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2026
Perfectionists Nini and Jane are feeling a bit neurotic, while Darlene Mitchell helpfully steers Juicy to develop a Karen that will lean into her strengths and make Ru laugh.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for neurotic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for neurotic
paranoid
Adjective
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What follows is the type of taut paranoid thriller that defined many a ’70s classic, as Turner traces the threads of a complex web of intrigue.—
Paul Fitzgerald,
Rolling Stone,
14 May 2026
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Instead, Putin spends more time in underground bunkers micromanaging his war, paranoid about a coup or an assassination attempt by Ukrainian drones, sources told the Financial Times.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Neurotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neurotic. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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