phobia

noun

Definition of phobianext
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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of phobia This, Wright imagined, was one way Proxi might display its analysis of players’ minds, an aerial map of loves, phobias, triumphs, losses, pets, and near misses plus all the associations connecting them. — Eric Boodman, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2026 In Atlanta, some people living with SAD, as well as social phobia or even simple shyness, are facing their fears in a novel way. — Hunter Boyce, AJC.com, 24 Mar. 2026 Also, those with insect phobias should consider this when planning a visit. — Jessie Schiewe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026 Despite all these benefits, snakes are among humans’ top phobias. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 15 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for phobia
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phobia
  1. panic
  2. terror
  3. anxiety
  4. scare
  5. fright
Noun
  • Messaging is also critical, given the impact of panic-buying.
    — Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • By then, CrowdStrike had fallen to the $90s, as panic had repeatedly ensued.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 5 July 2026
Definition of panic
Noun
  • What started as a campaign to diminish Iran’s nuclear capabilities and weaken its global terror networks has morphed into a dispute over control of one of the world’s most important trade routes.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • In these novels, the main character has been so absurdly addled by a (late-revealed) trauma that everyday human interactions are wildly aglow with (at first) terror or (later) manic-pixie wonder.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
Definition of terror
Noun
  • Broglio also hopes that athletes learn to look for symptoms such as anxiety, depression and cognitive issues, because many are very treatable.
    — Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 12 July 2026
  • Researchers and psychologists agree that this feeling can fuel anxiety, dissatisfaction, and a constant need to stay connected, for fear of missing an opportunity, an event, or an experience.
    — Ana Morales, Vogue, 11 July 2026
Definition of anxiety
Noun
  • While Cape Verde gave Argentina a scare and were one of the stories of the summer, Germany beat Curaçao 7-1 on their way to crashing out in the first knock-out round.
    — Sam Leveridge, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • When two steel columns buckled this week inside the former Pfizer headquarters in midtown Manhattan, the scare prompted evacuations and halted work on one of the nation’s largest office-to-apartment conversions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
Definition of scare
Noun
  • Both O’Flynn and Rhys have had spotlight episodes so far this season, but will Emmys voters see the pathos and creativity behind the laughs and frights?
    — William Earl, Variety, 11 June 2026
  • Copyright 2025, all frights reserved.
    — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Definition of fright

Browse Nearby Words

phlegmatic
phobia
phobias
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Cite this Entry

“Phobia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phobia. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on phobia

Nglish: Translation of phobia for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about phobia

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