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

The title theme’s steadily ascending line, mirroring the claustrophobic tension within the sub, became a signature motif. —Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2025

The majority of the action, however, unfolds in a claustrophobic one-shot inside a tent, with our heroes quaking at the whoops and cries surrounding them. —Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025

Director Simon Stone seems lost about what to do with this contrived premise and fails to take advantage of its natural claustrophobic nature. —Randy Myers, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025

The cell was empty, but claustrophobic. —Jen Rose Smith, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025

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