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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Don’t be afraid to wear these shoes to the fullest.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Thank you for your attempt at helping in the noble cause of mannerliness, but Miss Manners is afraid that your suggestion represents the problem, not the solution.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The tight-lipped kids are more ready to trust her, and one clearly scared girl references the diner from the prologue.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
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Among your characters, the men, outside of Sam Rockwell, look scared and the women do the heavy-lifting to save the world.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Rightly disappointed, Warren wasn’t entirely terrified.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
14 Feb. 2026
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There is a 9-year-old girl sitting terrified and tearful and blaming herself for wanting to see Disney.—
Heidi Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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While the consequences of skipping routine medical care may not always be immediate, Muthyala said providers are worried about the downstream impact all of this will have on the health of the community.—
Lauren Mascarenhas,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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Some were worried about not competing for championships because of being out of the WPIAL.—
Chilekasi Adele,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Gallego is confident that none of the pejoratives affixed to Democrats—weak, feckless, timid—applies to him.—
Mark Leibovich,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
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Harry Melling stars as a timid man who is swept off his feet when an enigmatic, impossibly handsome biker (Skarsgård) takes him on as his submissive.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Phobic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phobic. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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