claustrophobic

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

|Updated on: 4 Aug 2018

Examples: claustrophobic in a Sentence

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

The shots from inside the vehicle, giving us Fred and Serena’s perspective, are claustrophobic, especially as June’s best friend Moira (Samira Wiley) bangs on the window.

— refinery29.com, "The Handmaid's Tale," 14 June 2018
Brief scenes of King Louis discussing France’s financial aid to the revolution in America are an injection of reality more jarring than informative given the claustrophobic nature of the protagonist’s existence.

— refinery29.com, "Why Marie Antoinette Is Really Mean Girls, Versailles Edition," 10 July 2018
Nothing makes a room feel more claustrophobic than too many awkward, cluttery pieces.

— cindy dampier, chicagotribune.com, "Design Smarts: Remodelista's Julie Carlson on changing it up," 2 July 2018
The key scenes are harrowing, and the shifts in time help break up a story that could easily become claustrophobic as the wait to be discovered drags on.

— brian lowry, CNN, "'Adrift' showcases Shailene Woodley in harrowing survival tale," 1 June 2018
Follow the adventures of a claustrophobic Cinderella, a noble steed who dreams of passing the bar exam, a cat named Kevin, and more in this fun and (mostly) truthful homage to the Brothers Grimm.

— Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Two musicals on tap this summer at The Box Theatre Co. in Oconomowoc," 25 June 2018
Katz doesn’t address time’s terrors — claustrophobic deadlines, aging and mortality, tedium.

— cate mcquaid, BostonGlobe.com, "Flattening time’s tides; a ‘Maid’ made in the shade," 30 May 2018
The claustrophobic aspects of the proceedings are further amplified by the extensive use of close-ups, as well as camera filters that result in an off-putting, gauzy visual quality.

— frank scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, "'The Great Pretender': Film Review | Tribeca 2018," 28 Apr. 2018
The claustrophobic feeling may still be there, though, and not just because of the fans.

— jeff greer, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville sees 'opportunities' in the midst of a brutal final five-game stretch," 20 Feb. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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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