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
Many people, however, find the mask claustrophobic and ill-fitting, the tubing constrictive and cumbersome and the air pressure either inadequate or too forceful.
—
Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
Lana and Lilly Wachowski’s claustrophobic directorial debut sees an ex-con (Gina Gershon) and her neighbor (Jennifer Tilly) attempt to steal millions of dollars from the latter’s mobster boyfriend (Joe Pantoliano).
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 27 Mar. 2024
Does your old-school denim rub you the wrong way, feel claustrophobic on your skin, or look really outdated?
—Alyssa Grabinski, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024
The People's Princess is figuratively haunted by ghosts of Christmas past and present in the form of the claustrophobic confines of her royal life, and literally in the form of the ghost of Anne Boleyn.
—Andrew Walsh, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2023
Here, in this claustrophobic environment, a young man regularly subjects himself to humiliating defeats.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2024
In fact, it’s been so slow that Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman — who is claustrophobic and has never ridden in the Loop — doesn’t think the project will ever be finished.
—Andy Kalmowitz / Jalopnik, Quartz, 26 Feb. 2024
Danish director Gustav Moller’s claustrophobic last feature, The Guilty, starred Jakob Cedergren as a police officer working the dispatch line, fielding calls from a victim, a suspect and many others, all the while holding the screen on his own.
—Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Feb. 2024
Become a Subscriber The drinks were always set in her claustrophobic galley kitchen.
—Xochitl Gonzalez, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2024
Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
Lana and Lilly Wachowski’s claustrophobic directorial debut sees an ex-con (Gina Gershon) and her neighbor (Jennifer Tilly) attempt to steal millions of dollars from the latter’s mobster boyfriend (Joe Pantoliano).
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 27 Mar. 2024
Does your old-school denim rub you the wrong way, feel claustrophobic on your skin, or look really outdated?
—Alyssa Grabinski, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024
The People's Princess is figuratively haunted by ghosts of Christmas past and present in the form of the claustrophobic confines of her royal life, and literally in the form of the ghost of Anne Boleyn.
—Andrew Walsh, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2023
Here, in this claustrophobic environment, a young man regularly subjects himself to humiliating defeats.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2024
In fact, it’s been so slow that Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman — who is claustrophobic and has never ridden in the Loop — doesn’t think the project will ever be finished.
—Andy Kalmowitz / Jalopnik, Quartz, 26 Feb. 2024
Danish director Gustav Moller’s claustrophobic last feature, The Guilty, starred Jakob Cedergren as a police officer working the dispatch line, fielding calls from a victim, a suspect and many others, all the while holding the screen on his own.
—Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Feb. 2024
Become a Subscriber The drinks were always set in her claustrophobic galley kitchen.
—Xochitl Gonzalez, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'claustrophobic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of claustrophobic was
circa 1889
Articles Related to claustrophobic
Dictionary Entries Near claustrophobic
Cite this Entry
“Claustrophobic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/claustrophobic. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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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
claustrophobic
2 of 2 noun
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