arachnophobia
noun
Sherry Boas
Did you know?
In Greek mythology, Arachne was a weaver of such skill that she dared to challenge the goddess Athena at her craft. When she won their competition by weaving a tapestry disrespectful to the gods, the enraged Athena tore it to shreds, and in despair Arachne hanged herself. Out of pity, Athena loosened the rope, which became a cobweb, and changed Arachne into a spider. Today, the spiders, scorpions, mites, and ticks all belong to the class known as arachnids. Arachnophobia is the most common of the animal phobias; but many people suffer from similar phobias regarding snakes (ophidiophobia), dogs (cynophobia), and mice and rats (musophobia).
Examples of arachnophobia in a Sentence
Evan Mealins, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Sep. 2025
What a mother discovered in her baby's crib one night brought her arachnophobia out in full force.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
Most of these studies recruited participants with levels of arachnophobia that would qualify for a diagnosis and included a test involving approaching a spider.
—Simon Makin, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2024
Texas is home to some interesting critters, and those with arachnophobia will hate to hear that tarantulas are among them.
—Ryan Maxin, Austin American-Statesman, 5 June 2024
Cornerstone is also handling worldwide sales and distribution for Roache-Turner’s upcoming arachnophobia horror Sting, which will be released by Studiocanal in the U.K., Australia, New Zeland, France, Germany, Switzerland and Benelux.
—Alex Ritman, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Oct. 2023
Spidey Senses Pumpkin Besides heights, small spaces, and needles, the fear of spiders, otherwise known as arachnophobia, is one of the most common frights.
—Annie O’Sullivan, Woman's Day, 18 Aug. 2023
Interestingly, the game’s accessibility features include an arachnophobia mode that will eliminate the game’s spider enemies.
—Ash Parrish, The Verge, 19 Apr. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Arachnophobia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arachnophobia. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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arachnophobia
noun
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