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
  5. timid
Adjective
  • Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud spoke of community members, including children, who were afraid of the protesters coming to the city.
    — DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Amanda takes off and sits on the grass, afraid this will happen to her.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of afraid
Adjective
  • Stokes was scared to be seen in public talking about the case, worried about poor treatment from law enforcement and the potential for retribution.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Hospitals and healthcare workers are already reporting growing staffing concerns, as many workers are scared to leave their homes for fear of being targeted by ICE.
    — Nancy Hagans, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of scared
Adjective
  • During the attack, terrified students huddled together under their desks, sobbing as gunshots rang out nearby, video filmed inside a classroom and verified by CNN showed.
    — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • At a news conference, Twin Falls police released dramatic surveillance video that showed terrified employees diving for cover and shielding one another.
    — Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of terrified
Adjective
  • Why people don’t like it Some residents are worried about how these sprawling energy farms will affect local soil, especially near farmland.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The drop in tech talent in the Bay Area comes as workers grow more worried that AI could lead to fewer jobs.
    — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of worried
Adjective
  • Souleymane, an Afro-German trans man, talented fashion designer and increasingly less timid figure on Berlin’s ballroom scene, travels to Dakar to repair his father’s kora.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026
  • This is a great car for a timid driver, a new driver or perhaps a sensible son or daughter.
    — Josh Max, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of timid

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 24 Aug. 2026.

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