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.
Post-Covid, of course, this instead plays as a fantastical spin on an experience still fresh in everyone’s minds — a familiarity that Louis Leterrier‘s film, all too aptly premiering on Netflix, uses to its claustrophobic advantage. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026 Even Chicago’s great museums seem claustrophobic when there are blue skies and a nice lake breeze. — Mary Wisniewski, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026 Scrolling through Reddit and X feels claustrophobic because the screen aggressively crops out so much content. — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 3 Aug. 2026 Kurosawa kept his trademark long shots and almost claustrophobic dialogue scenes, in which nothing appears to be happening but chills shoot up the viewers’ spine in anticipation of what unimaginably horrific thing might happen next. — ABC News, 29 July 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 15 Aug. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on claustrophobic

Nglish: Translation of claustrophobic for Spanish Speakers

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