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

With such a focus on what’s happening inside Robby’s head, an already claustrophobic show stuck inside the boundaries of a single set on a single day has gotten even more restricted. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026

There are 13 caves to explore, ranging in size from, well, cavernous to hopefully-you're-not-claustrophobic. —Julia Sayers Gokhale, Midwest Living, 17 Apr. 2026

The vast majority of the episode is set in claustrophobic rooms, as O'Neill bounces between his ordeal with Ba'al and the tender moments with Jackson, and these intimate pairings really elevate 'Abyss' to all-timer status. —Daryl Baxter, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2026

But shark movies, because of that derivative quality (and because the directors are not Spielberg), often tend to be dreary and claustrophobic affairs. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 11 Apr. 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