claustrophobic

adjective

claus·​tro·​pho·​bic ˌklȯ-strə-ˈfō-bik 

1

: affected with or inclined to claustrophobia

2

: inducing or suggesting claustrophobia

claustrophobically

ˌklȯ-strə-ˈfō-bi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of claustrophobic in a Sentence

The theater can be a little claustrophobic when it's full.

She doesn't go in elevators because she is claustrophobic.

Recent Examples on the Web

Produced with longtime collaborators Juliana Tatlock and Jed Weintraub at 30 Ninjas, the project uses Google’s human-scanning technology and Unreal Engine to deliver a claustrophobic sci-fi drama. —Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025

The claustrophobic action inside the bus is played with urgency and heart, engulfed in the darkness of smoke and the red glow of the encroaching fire. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025

There's always this claustrophobic element to it. —EW.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Such is the expectancy around Arsenal now, a 1-0 loss to a bewitching free kick, the kind of sudden inspiration that decides a close and claustrophobic game, hit the team hard. —Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for claustrophobic

• anaerobic
• homophobic
• hydrophobic
• aerobic
• phobic

Medical Definition

claustrophobic

1 of 2 adjective

claus·​tro·​pho·​bic ˌklȯ-strə-ˈfō-bik 

1

: suffering from or inclined to claustrophobia

2

: inducing or suggesting claustrophobia

claustrophobically

-bi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

claustrophobic

2 of 2 noun

: claustrophobe