claustrophobic

adjective

claus·​tro·​pho·​bic ˌklȯ-strə-ˈfō-bik 

1

: affected with or inclined to claustrophobia

2

: inducing or suggesting claustrophobia

claustrophobically

ˌklȯ-strə-ˈfō-bi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of claustrophobic in a Sentence

The theater can be a little claustrophobic when it's full.

She doesn't go in elevators because she is claustrophobic.

Recent Examples on the Web

What should have been a picturesque Swiss retreat turned into a somber, claustrophobic affair, as relentless storms and unseasonably cold weather kept them confined indoors. Bored and restless, the group began a ghost story competition. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024

Last Voyage turns the chilling interlude into a slow-moving slasher, neither acknowledging the book’s metaphor of a ship bringing plague nor indulging in the inherent paranoia of its claustrophobic surroundings. —Celia Mattison, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2024

That winter wonderland becomes a claustrophobic nightmare when an extraterrestrial shapeshifter infiltrates the base camp. —Huntley Woods, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024

Much of the footage is confined to four walls, but the limitations of their fame have yet to become a claustrophobic prison that would force them to permanently retire from touring less than three years later. —Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

claustrophobic

1 of 2 adjective

claus·​tro·​pho·​bic ˌklȯ-strə-ˈfō-bik 

1

: suffering from or inclined to claustrophobia

2

: inducing or suggesting claustrophobia

claustrophobically

-bi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

claustrophobic

2 of 2 noun

: claustrophobe