claustrophobia

noun

claus·tro·pho·bia | \ ˌklȯs-trə-ˈfō-bē-ə

Definition of claustrophobia

1 : abnormal dread of being in closed or narrow spaces

2 : a feeling of discomfort or discontent caused by being in a limiting or restrictive situation or environment While recovering in the hospital, she recognizes the claustrophobia of her working-class life, shared with a suffocatingly affectionate mother and a dud of a dad. —Barbara Tritel

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Examples of claustrophobia in a Sentence

She doesn't go in elevators because of her claustrophobia. the claustrophobia of small-town life

Recent Examples on the Web

Viewers may well experience a sense of claustrophobia themselves while watching Chris Crow's psychological thriller about two men descending into madness while manning a remote lighthouse. — Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, "'The Lighthouse': Film Review," 4 July 2018 Airway pressure masks, the most common remedy, have improved in design, getting smaller and quieter, but patients still complain about sore nostrils, dry mouths and claustrophobia. — Washington Post, "New ways to conquer sleep apnea compete for place in bedroom," 12 July 2018 The insides are drum-shaped, painted white as if that might relieve the claustrophobia, and fitted with petal-like seats. — Alexandra Lange, Curbed, "Gateway to what?," 28 June 2018 The setting adds factors of claustrophobia and isolation to the suspense of the scenario. — Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "Paul Daugherty: What's on your bucket list, Cincinnati sports fans?," 14 June 2018 And for those with claustrophobia or fear of being locked in, the rooms always have one unlocked door and are not cramped or small. — Jerod Macdonald-evoy, azcentral, "Trying to beat the heat? Here are 5 fun, new ways to cool off in the East Valley," 2 June 2018 Set on a cramped train rattling across the subcontinent, Darjeeling juxtaposes the claustrophobia of travel against the backdrop of Rajasthan's vast open spaces. — Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, "The 45 Best Travel Films of All Time," 11 May 2018 The result is an overwhelming claustrophobia, even in the middle of a punishing void. — Asher Elbein, The Atlantic, "The Terror Is More Than a Chilling Monster Show," 1 May 2018 MRIs say that patients with claustrophobia are far better off using one of their products and getting through the scan, even if the machines produce lesser-quality images. — Eric Pianin, Washington Post, "Claustrophobia can turn MRI into frightening experience," 11 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'claustrophobia.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.