claustrophobic
adjective
claus·tro·pho·bic
ˌklȯ-strə-ˈfō-bik 
1
: affected with or inclined to claustrophobia
2
: inducing or suggesting claustrophobia
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
Life easily can become claustrophobic.
—
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
The moment is fleeting, though, interrupted by the sharp pangs of rapidly escalating synthesizers that create a sudden sense of claustrophobic exhilaration.
—Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
Cooper uses the clubs’ brick-wall backdrop and claustrophobic vibes to his advantage, taking a setting that looks familiar to even the most casual comedy fan and turning it into a hostile proving ground for Alex’s darkest, weirdest thoughts.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2026
Their perilous journey takes them to a cabin where all hell soon breaks loose, as Tarantino mashes up various genres, from classic Westerns to claustrophobic thrillers.
—Keith Staskiewicz, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for claustrophobic
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Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
The moment is fleeting, though, interrupted by the sharp pangs of rapidly escalating synthesizers that create a sudden sense of claustrophobic exhilaration.
—Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
Cooper uses the clubs’ brick-wall backdrop and claustrophobic vibes to his advantage, taking a setting that looks familiar to even the most casual comedy fan and turning it into a hostile proving ground for Alex’s darkest, weirdest thoughts.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2026
Their perilous journey takes them to a cabin where all hell soon breaks loose, as Tarantino mashes up various genres, from classic Westerns to claustrophobic thrillers.
—Keith Staskiewicz, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for claustrophobic
Cite this Entry
“Claustrophobic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/claustrophobic. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical 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
claustrophobic
2 of 2 nounLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
