as in panic
an extremely strong dislike or fear of someone or something
His fear of crowds eventually developed into a phobia.
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Recent Examples of phobia
For those who have a needle phobia or just want to avoid a visit to the local clinic, here’s how to give yourself the flu vaccine at home.
—
Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Some dogs are genetically prone to noise phobias, especially breeds such as Border collies or Australian shepherds.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
But sleepaway camp may not be for everyone, including children with a panic or mood disorder, phobia, or who have experienced a recent tragedy or trauma.
—Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 9 July 2025
However, it was noted that the victim had a low resting heart rate, dental phobia and had a history of fainting, which the complaint said Watkins did not investigate or document.
—Stepheny Price , Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for phobia
Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Some dogs are genetically prone to noise phobias, especially breeds such as Border collies or Australian shepherds.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
But sleepaway camp may not be for everyone, including children with a panic or mood disorder, phobia, or who have experienced a recent tragedy or trauma.
—Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 9 July 2025
However, it was noted that the victim had a low resting heart rate, dental phobia and had a history of fainting, which the complaint said Watkins did not investigate or document.
—Stepheny Price , Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for phobia
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phobia
Noun
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As an adult, financial matters, especially, threw him into a panic and eventually sent him to therapy.—
Duaa Eldeib,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
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Even when things might look bleak, investors with cash on hand can afford to wait it out and not panic.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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London — Large crowds of people protesting the British government’s decision to ban the activist group Palestine Action gathered in London’s Parliament Square on Saturday, in a show of continuing support since it was designated as a terror organization in July.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
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For Bear, the new arrangement is great about 99 percent of the time… the only drawback is that Nikki occasionally snaps back into her old self and screams in utter terror for a few seconds, before resuming the love-bombing.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The story unfolds in Agra during the 1990s, weaving together romantic elements with comedic beats and supernatural scares.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
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In the time since releasing 2021’s Justice, Bieber had been dealing with a series of career setbacks and health scares.—
Brittany Spanos,
Rolling Stone,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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At the council meeting for the resolution, several migrants and their families spoke in favor of its passage, expressing their anxieties in day-to-day life, according to The Chronicle.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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The starting point is learning to cultivate present-moment awareness and simply noticing your anxiety.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Now, a grown-up Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) faces new and familiar frights after her equally goth daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), opens a portal to the Netherworld and reawakens everyone's favorite pinstriped ghost.—
Emy LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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Haunted Scream Park opening weekend 'Tis the season for frights and delights!—
Caroline Ritzie,
The Enquirer,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Phobia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phobia. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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