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
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.
This claustrophobic series is permeated with a growing sense of dread and relies heavily on an excellent performance from Athie. —Simon Hill, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2024 What begins as a blast of carefree play soon turns into a claustrophobic horror story. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 25 Oct. 2024 Dreyer shoots his film in claustrophobic closeups, effectively trapping the audience within Joan’s plight. —Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 7 Sep. 2024 Couple that with cancel culture and the claustrophobic spaces still open for innovation and experimentation, and the limitations (very clearly) exist. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 27 Sep. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near claustrophobic

claustrophobia

claustrophobic

claustrum

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Claustrophobic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/claustrophobic. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on claustrophobic

Nglish: Translation of claustrophobic for Spanish Speakers

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