1
a
: having an intolerance or aversion for
photophobic
Anglophobic
b
: exhibiting a phobia for
claustrophobic
2
: lacking chemical affinity for (see affinity entry 1 sense 2b(2))
These polymers are like soaps, with a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic portion in the molecule.—
Mercouri G. Kanatzidis
compare -philic
Mercouri G. KanatzidisExamples of phobic in a Sentence
Adjective
She is phobic about heights.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2024
Together, the two wrote and illustrated a book that helped the bug phobic deal with the Brood X cicada emergence 17 years ago, and that now, as the red-eyed creatures prepare to make another grand appearance, is landing in the hands of the newly anxious.
—Washington Post, 28 Apr. 2021
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
See all Example Sentences for phobic 
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Adjective
Conway is mousy, phobic of plane travel, and loves her parents and her cat, a Scottish Fold named Alfie.
—Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2024
Together, the two wrote and illustrated a book that helped the bug phobic deal with the Brood X cicada emergence 17 years ago, and that now, as the red-eyed creatures prepare to make another grand appearance, is landing in the hands of the newly anxious.
—Washington Post, 28 Apr. 2021
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
See all Example Sentences for phobic
Dictionary Entries Near phobic
Cite this Entry
“Phobic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phobic. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
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