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

Even more clever is the way that Ueda, who also wrote the script, incorporates the feeling of claustrophobic disconnection into the story itself. — Katie Rife, IndieWire, 2 Nov. 2026

This reality is claustrophobic at times, but at others freeing, almost meditative. — Literary Hub, 2 Nov. 2026

Much of the series is set in claustrophobic corridors, backrooms and basements, endowing it with the sense of a labyrinth that its anti-terror agents have to navigate. — John Hopewell, Variety, 30 Oct. 2026

The answer will be found at the dark heart of this claustrophobic fairy tale. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 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