as in afraid
of, relating to, or having an extremely strong fear or dislike of someone or something
She is phobic about heights.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of phobic
The author has become controversial due to what her critics describe as phobic and abusive anti-transgender views.
—
Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 20 Jan. 2025
Some research suggests that being exposed to another person's phobic response can teach you to internalize that fear, as well.2
Not all people who develop somniphobia have risk factors for a phobia.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 7 Dec. 2024
Conway is mousy, phobic of plane travel, and loves her parents and her cat, a Scottish Fold named Alfie.
—Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2024
At a time when many filmmakers are paranoically spoiler-phobic, director Daniel Goldhaber doesn’t mind if audiences know the outcome of his new movie going in.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for phobic
Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 20 Jan. 2025
Some research suggests that being exposed to another person's phobic response can teach you to internalize that fear, as well.2
Not all people who develop somniphobia have risk factors for a phobia.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 7 Dec. 2024
Conway is mousy, phobic of plane travel, and loves her parents and her cat, a Scottish Fold named Alfie.
—Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2024
At a time when many filmmakers are paranoically spoiler-phobic, director Daniel Goldhaber doesn’t mind if audiences know the outcome of his new movie going in.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for phobic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phobic
Adjective
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Hundreds of volunteers have packed and delivered grocery boxes to families too afraid to leave their homes.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
People are so afraid to go out and participate in public life regardless of their citizenship status.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Children are particularly vulnerable due to their smaller size and natural reaction when scared.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Children of color are scared to be out on the streets and in their cars.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Barry’s little sister, who answered the call, was terrified.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
But there’s plenty of agonized screaming, as well as lots of closeups of terrified faces.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This is a relief for now, but the market won’t stop being worried about memory hurting gross margins until prices come down.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
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Kids were scared, parents were worried, and the shocking crime instantly became a high-profile case, meaning, of course, that there was high pressure to convict.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The siblings have different personalities, according to their keepers; Xiao Xiao is timid while his sister Lei Lei is fearless and adapts to changes quickly.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
25 Jan. 2026
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Oswald’s timid Ludie is gentle, sad and almost childlike in his lack of assertiveness toward his wife.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Phobic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phobic. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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