misophonia

noun

mis·o·pho·nia ˌmi-sō-ˈfō-nē-ə

: a condition in which one or more common sounds (such as the ticking of a clock, the hum of a fluorescent light, or the chewing or breathing of another person) cause an atypical emotional response (such as disgust, distress, panic, or anger) in the affected person hearing the sound

For people with a condition that some scientists called misophonia, mealtime can be torture. The sounds of other people eating—chewing, chomping, slurping, gurgling—can send them into an instantaneous, blood-boiling rage.—

John Markoff

misophonic

ˌmi-sō-ˈfä-nik

adjective

… we asked readers to share stories of misophonic suffering, and they responded with a long list of unpleasant noises. —

Karen Barrow

Examples of misophonia in a Sentence

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.

Researchers are still trying to understand the exact neurological mechanisms underlying misophonia. —

Imbi Neeme, refinery29.com, 14 Mar. 2024 People with hyperacusis or misophonia, for example, find everyday sounds unbearable. —

Amy Paturel, WIRED, 24 Mar. 2024 According to Doe's attorneys, the case is believed to be a first-of-its kind involving misophonia. —

Liz Kellar, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2023 But scientists don’t know if extra myelin is a cause or an effect of misophonia. —

Alison Escalante, Forbes, 14 Sep. 2021

Word History

Etymology

miso- (as in misogyny) + -phonia

Note: The word was introduced by the Polish-born American audiologists Pawel J. Jastreboff and Margaret M. Jastreboff, apparently first in "Hyperacusis," article in the online publication Audiology Online (www.audiologyonline.com), June 18, 2001.

First Known Use

2001, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of misophonia was in 2001

See more words from the same year