agoraphobic

1 of 2

adjective

ag·​o·​ra·​pho·​bic ˌa-g(ə-)rə-ˈfō-bik How to pronounce agoraphobic (audio)
ə-ˌgȯr-ə-
: relating to, affected with, or inclined to agoraphobia : abnormally fearful of open or public spaces from which escape (as during a panic attack) may be difficult or impossible
an agoraphobic patient
My mother was agoraphobic, which means she was often housebound, terrified of stores, cars and crowds.Michael Christie
I'm sure it was a really good camp, and I bet all but the most agoraphobic kids would have a great time there.John Kelly

agoraphobic

2 of 2

noun

plural agoraphobics
: a person who has an abnormal fear of open or public spaces : a person affected with agoraphobia : agoraphobe
Experts say agoraphobics usually associate their panic with the place they first experience it …Lena Williams
Because of this fear, agoraphobics map out safe zones (their homes, usually) and retreat into private worlds, which can become prisons.Michael Christie

Examples of agoraphobic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The film’s protagonists are Will, a ride-share driver played by actor and comedian Grant O’Brien, and Glenn, an agoraphobic trans hacker played by actor and comedian Ally Beardsley. Taylor Lorenz, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024 The new film from prolific director Steven Soderbergh stars Zoe Kravitz as an agoraphobic Seattle tech worker who finds digital evidence of a crime during the pandemic. Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2022 Danny is agoraphobic, socially anxious, obsessive, something of a hypochondriac and nominally a journalist, that most nominal of television professions. Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2023 The story centers on Anna Fox (Adams), an agoraphobic woman confined to her home in New York City. Christopher Rosa, Glamour, 14 May 2021 The Whale, about a depressed and agoraphobic man struggling with obesity, is a tour de force for Brendan Fraser but otherwise divisive among viewers. Robyn Bahr, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Jan. 2023 Pairs an eccentric, agoraphobic arm-chair detective with a reluctant traffic cop in a series that showcases community, connection and yes, only-in-Florida characters. Rodney Ho, ajc, 25 Sep. 2022 Stephen Soderbergh’s latest endeavor stars Zoë Kravitz as a blue-haired agoraphobic tech worker who listens to audio streams from users whose requests weren’t understood by Kimi, an Alexa-like virtual home assistant, and tries to resolve the communication bugs. Jihane Bousfiha, ELLE, 30 Apr. 2022 In 1990, the actor played the agoraphobic orchid-growing Harold Smith in the sophomore season of Showtime's Twin Peaks. Giovana Gelhoren, PEOPLE.com, 8 July 2022
Noun
Watching the fireworks from the Esplanade—roughly between the Museum of Science down to the Boston University Bridge—is a quintessential Boston experience, but not suggested for the agoraphobic. Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'agoraphobic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1878, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1887, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of agoraphobic was in 1878

Dictionary Entries Near agoraphobic

Cite this Entry

“Agoraphobic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/agoraphobic. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

agoraphobic

1 of 2 adjective
ag·​o·​ra·​pho·​bic -ˈfō-bik How to pronounce agoraphobic (audio)
: of, relating to, or affected with agoraphobia
agoraphobic attacks
an agoraphobic patient

agoraphobic

2 of 2 noun
variants or agoraphobe also agoraphobiac
: a person affected with agoraphobia
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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