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 film aims to blend claustrophobic tension with dark humor. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Dec. 2025

But record the group did, eventually overcoming the dark period of the album’s creation to complete the claustrophobic recordings and release them, as Yell at Cloud, on Reis’ stalwart label Swami. —Walden Green, Pitchfork, 28 Nov. 2025

The narrative shrink-wraps around them, making an insulated setting feel even more claustrophobic. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2025

The action is more claustrophobic than most entries on this list. —Ian Stokes, Space.com, 26 Nov. 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