phobic

adjective

Definition of phobicnext
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of phobic To be phobic is to be swayed by not just fear, but irrational fear. — Literary Hub, 24 Mar. 2026 Reshaping ion solvation The researchers used a parasitic salt-phobic polymer network in their electrolyte design, which selectively repels lithium ions while attracting solvent molecules. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 19 Feb. 2026 The emails included instructions for editing email signatures to assist tech-phobic workers. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2025 The author has become controversial due to what her critics describe as phobic and abusive anti-transgender views. — Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 20 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for phobic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phobic
  1. afraid
  2. scared
  3. terrified
  4. worried
Adjective
  • Opt for a dark wash without rips and frays to keep the look streamlined, but don't be afraid to play with proportions and have fun with patterns and texture.
    — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Measure What Customers Do After The Test Pick five to eight people who already trust you and aren’t afraid to tell you the truth.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of afraid
Adjective
  • The move comes after years of criticism from animal rights advocates who charge that the horses are overworked, get easily scared and live in inadequate stables with drivers flouting city regulations.
    — Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Older riders, who once sold important organs to buy in-line fours, are now too old and too scared to even care what 14,000rpm in top means on an in-line four.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of scared
Adjective
  • Even after the attacker was restrained, passengers remained terrified.
    — Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
  • This kind of conversation always leaves me half-amused, half-terrified.
    — Alicja Turczyk, The Dial, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of terrified
Adjective
  • For my worried patient, that study was not a countdown clock on his chance to become a dad.
    — Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026
  • In the Vatican, some pilgrims were worried, hopeful and a little disappointed.
    — Claudio Lavanga, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of worried

Browse Nearby Words

phobias
phobic
phone
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Cite this Entry

“Phobic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phobic. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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