as in afraid
of, relating to, or having an extremely strong fear or dislike of someone or something
She is phobic about heights.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of phobic
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
Ashton Kutcher plays Peter, a commitment-phobic New York business guru who’d rather be a novelist.
—Noel Murray, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2023
Paulie wore tracksuits, slept with hookers, was phobic about germs, hated cats and watched television in a chair covered with plastic.
—Anita Gates, BostonGlobe.com, 9 July 2022
See all Example Sentences for phobic 
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
Ashton Kutcher plays Peter, a commitment-phobic New York business guru who’d rather be a novelist.
—Noel Murray, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2023
Paulie wore tracksuits, slept with hookers, was phobic about germs, hated cats and watched television in a chair covered with plastic.
—Anita Gates, BostonGlobe.com, 9 July 2022
See all Example Sentences for phobic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phobic
Adjective
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Just look at the Salem Witch Trials, which targeted people who weren’t afraid to live somewhat unconventional lives, like women who were financially-independent or unmarried.—
Roya Backlund,
StyleCaster,
24 Jan. 2025
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Democrats and Republicans are afraid that their civil rights and their civil liberties are in jeopardy and look to the courts to protect their 14th and 15th Amendment rights.—
John Yoo and John Shu,
Newsweek,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Everyone in the audience laughed when the capybara first appeared onscreen, even the little kid behind us who had cried earlier, scared of some of the calamities befalling the feline hero.—
Gary Shteyngart,
The New Yorker,
27 Jan. 2025
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One day, the story goes, the villagers discovered Nian was scared of loud noises, fire and the color red.—
Stephanie Lam,
The Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Economic data users like Algernon Austin, director for race and economic justice at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, a left-leaning think tank, are worried about what changes may be coming to the sample size for the Current Population Survey, which produces the monthly employment data.—
Hansi Lo Wang,
NPR,
24 Jan. 2025
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A number of men and women on Mitchell’s team were worried about their health and safety, the lawsuit says, so Mitchell raised the issue during the training sessions.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Woods stars as Louise, who transforms from timid wallflower into the famed burlesque dancer known as Gypsy Rose Lee.—
Kristen Tauer,
WWD,
20 Jan. 2025
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The video introduces several of GRRR's residents, including George, a timid golden retriever who was abused and is now slowly building his confidence around people.—
Lydia Patrick,
Newsweek,
17 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near phobic
Cite this Entry
“Phobic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phobic. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.
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