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
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
According To Your Zodiac Sign Nevertheless, because Gemini is so mutable (and, uh, commitment-phobic) this pair might have some trouble locking down the relationship.
—Women's Health, 14 Mar. 2023
But as Americans became more health-conscious (or fat-phobic, depending on your POV), fondue fell out of favor.
—Michelle Tchea, Bon Appétit, 14 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for phobic
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
According To Your Zodiac Sign Nevertheless, because Gemini is so mutable (and, uh, commitment-phobic) this pair might have some trouble locking down the relationship.
—Women's Health, 14 Mar. 2023
But as Americans became more health-conscious (or fat-phobic, depending on your POV), fondue fell out of favor.
—Michelle Tchea, Bon Appétit, 14 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for phobic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phobic
Adjective
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Give it up for the queen of not being afraid to reference or not reference (but mostly reference).—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
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If you’re seated at a gate where the next flight doesn’t leave for six hours, don’t be afraid to post up and get comfy.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Three minors heard gunfire and believed they had been fired at, and were scared of being shot, wrote Sheriff’s Deputy Dave Walls.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Apr. 2025
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For those who have been scared to shift away from grays and creams, these shades offer an ideal compromise.—
Quincy Bulin,
Southern Living,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Others are worried about the fate of the Smithsonian more broadly.—
Deborah Barfield Berry,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
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An overwhelming 92 percent are worried about a potential recession in 2025.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Wu was seen as timid at the beginning of the migrant crisis, staying in the background while Healey seized a Roxbury community rec center as a migrant shelter.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
25 Mar. 2025
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Of course, a lot of Republicans don’t feel that way because they’re being tricked into returning to a George W. Bush-era mindset where Democrats are weak and timid on the world stage while Republicans are tough and firm and willing to bomb the hell out of anyone who stands in their way.—
Connor Okeeffe,
Oc Register,
23 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Phobic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phobic. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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