claustrophobic

adjective

claus·​tro·​pho·​bic ˌklȯ-strə-ˈfō-bik How to pronounce claustrophobic (audio)
1
: affected with or inclined to claustrophobia
2
: inducing or suggesting claustrophobia
claustrophobically
ˌklȯ-strə-ˈfō-bi-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce claustrophobic (audio)
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
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Prior to her arrival, the film is confined largely to the claustrophobic rented California beach bungalow where Fielder and the documentary team spend time with Holmes, her husband, and their children. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026 To underscore the metaphor, Duffield recorded Brolin’s heartbeat before filming began and played it throughout Abrams’ two months inside the claustrophobic, practical whale-stomach sets. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026 For him, the trick with the stomach being the setting for a majority of the movie was balancing the claustrophobic feeling of Jay’s plight with breaks from the cramped space. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026 There’s seat-shaking violence in how the whale breaches the surface and slams its weight back down (the crafty sound design is by James Miller) and body horror in its claustrophobic, spongy inner chambers. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for claustrophobic

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of claustrophobic was circa 1889

Rhymes for claustrophobic

See All Rhymes for claustrophobic

Browse Nearby Words

claustrophobia
claustrophobic
claustrum
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Claustrophobic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/claustrophobic. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Medical Definition

claustrophobic

1 of 2 adjective
claus·​tro·​pho·​bic ˌklȯ-strə-ˈfō-bik How to pronounce claustrophobic (audio)
1
: suffering from or inclined to claustrophobia
2
: inducing or suggesting claustrophobia
claustrophobically
-bi-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce claustrophobic (audio)
adverb

claustrophobic

2 of 2 noun
: claustrophobe
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