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
As seen in the video above, even before the fire alarm goes off, the dog was triggered, which happens to canines with phobias.
—
Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
Even Heinz made a joke on social media last year about the superstar’s phobia, posting a photo of a bottle of ketchup labeled Heinz 97 (referencing McDavid’s jersey number) — instead of the traditional Heinz 57 label on the bottle.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 10 June 2025
Noise-sensitive dogs, particularly breeds like border collies and Australian shepherds, may have a genetic predisposition to noise phobias.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
By the bloody end, your phobias now include fire escapes, elevators, airbags, construction sites, even backyard barbecues.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for phobia
Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
Even Heinz made a joke on social media last year about the superstar’s phobia, posting a photo of a bottle of ketchup labeled Heinz 97 (referencing McDavid’s jersey number) — instead of the traditional Heinz 57 label on the bottle.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 10 June 2025
Noise-sensitive dogs, particularly breeds like border collies and Australian shepherds, may have a genetic predisposition to noise phobias.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
By the bloody end, your phobias now include fire escapes, elevators, airbags, construction sites, even backyard barbecues.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for phobia
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phobia
Noun
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According to the report, the lightning strike left beachgoers, swimmers and surfers in a panic, and many ran for their cars in the immediate aftermath.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
13 July 2025
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Steven was there for Conrad in that moment too, finding him on the beach hyperventilating and talking him out of the panic to distract him.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
11 July 2025
Noun
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Sami Al-Arian, a former University of South Florida professor who is associated with the Gaza Tribunal, admitted to conspiring to aid the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group in 2006.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
12 July 2025
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Pearl, who is Jewish, has expressed his fervent support for Israel in the face of rising antisemitism in the U.S. since the Oct. 7 terror attacks in Israel.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
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As for retail investors and liquidity risk, there have already been scares.—
Hank Tucker,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
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Beyoncé also experienced a scare during her Cowboy Carter show in Houston in late June.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
19 July 2025
Noun
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This can cause unnecessary anxiety and concern for the dog.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
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This is the current situation: Certainly, a trend of appreciating precious metals is at work, but there is also the theme of ‘strategic and critical metals’ anxiety pushing platinum.—
Clem Chambers,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Noun
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Well, consider that, unlike what’s happening in the world at large, the frights and delights inside Viola’s Room are actually fun.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
26 June 2025
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Ah well, Cesare already has two sequel novels published, so there’s already plenty more Frendo the Clown frights ready to be harvested.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Phobia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phobia. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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