claustrophobic

adjective claus·tro·pho·bic \ ˌklȯs-trə-ˈfō-bik \

Definition of claustrophobic

1 :affected with or inclined to claustrophobia

2 :inducing or suggesting claustrophobia

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claustrophobically

play \-bi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See claustrophobic defined for English-language learners

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 of claustrophobic from the Web

Not for the claustrophobic, entrance to the cave is unmarked, in the ground and only a couple of feet wide.

— abid haque, GQ, "Easter Island Is the Chillest Vacation Spot You Can Find," 17 Aug. 2017
Be warned: The latest innovation in working out is not for the claustrophobic.

— allee manning, SELF, "Tiny One-Person Gym Pods Are Popping Up in Beijing," 17 Aug. 2017
Now, when the dipnetters descend, the beach takes on the motley, slightly claustrophobic feel of a music festival.

— Alaska Dispatch News, "Dipnetting for salmon on the Kenai: Bring a net and expect a crowd," 10 Aug. 2017
Nolan’s take on World War II is intensely claustrophobic in every possible way.

— josh spiegel, The Hollywood Reporter, "Christopher Nolan Has Always Been Headed Toward 'Dunkirk'," 22 July 2017
The dense, claustrophobic brush promised a large mammal encounter.

— ned rozell, Alaska Dispatch News, "On a long hike in the Arctic, you learn to savor each bug-free moment," 15 July 2017
The activity can be both intellectual and physical, and for those who are not claustrophobic, apparently a lot of fun.

— robert channick, chicagotribune.com, "From trust falls to escape rooms: The evolution of corporate team building," 7 July 2017
In the claustrophobic bowels of a mine, a blast goes wrong and sends a flaming fireball racing through the shaft in a brief but effective disaster scene that leaves four workmen dead and the audience hungry for more.

— deborah young, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Explosion': Film Review | Shanghai 2017," 1 July 2017
Wearing actual crop tops and bras in 95 degree weather can feel claustrophobic and completely disgusting.

— devon abelman, Allure, "Bella Hadid Wore a Bikini Top as a Shirt and Looked Amazing," 29 June 2017

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

First Known Use of claustrophobic

circa 1889

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CLAUSTROPHOBIC Defined for English Language Learners

claustrophobic

adjective

Definition of claustrophobic for English Language Learners

of a room, space, etc. : not having enough space for people to feel comfortable : causing claustrophobia
: having a fear of being in closed or small spaces : having claustrophobia
: not having or providing enough freedom