claustrophobic

adjective

claus·​tro·​pho·​bic ˌklȯ-strə-ˈfō-bik 

1

: affected with or inclined to claustrophobia

2

: inducing or suggesting claustrophobia

claustrophobically

ˌklȯ-strə-ˈfō-bi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

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 on the Web

That seat then looks quite claustrophobic and uncomfortable to sit in. — New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2026

The challenges that the rest of the contestants will face as the season continues include a supply load retrieval while suspended 300 feet above the jungle floor, chemical gassing and a claustrophobic, high-pressure search of an underground bunker. — Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026

Rather than piling another major event onto an already claustrophobic September calendar, the fair actually felt like the beginning of something. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

The film, which was directed by Woman Walks Ahead’s Susanna White, doesn’t have the claustrophobic strangeness of so many adaptations that have gone from the stage to the screen. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for claustrophobic

• anaerobic
• homophobic
• hydrophobic
• aerobic
• phobic

Medical Definition

claustrophobic

1 of 2 adjective

claus·​tro·​pho·​bic ˌklȯ-strə-ˈfō-bik 

1

: suffering from or inclined to claustrophobia

2

: inducing or suggesting claustrophobia

claustrophobically

-bi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

claustrophobic

2 of 2 noun

: claustrophobe