phobia

noun

Definition of phobianext
as in panic
an extremely strong dislike or fear of someone or something His fear of crowds eventually developed into a phobia.

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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 phobia In Atlanta, some people living with SAD, as well as social phobia or even simple shyness, are facing their fears in a novel way. — Hunter Boyce, AJC.com, 24 Mar. 2026 In his foundational research, Bandura demonstrated this through a now-famous series of studies involving individuals with severe phobias of snakes. — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2026 This, Wright imagined, was one way Proxi might display its analysis of players’ minds, an aerial map of loves, phobias, triumphs, losses, pets, and near misses plus all the associations connecting them. — Eric Boodman, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2026 Festivalgoers should expect petition endeavors aimed at mellowing out Idaho’s legal phobia about marijuana. — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 16 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for phobia
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phobia
  1. panic
  2. terror
  3. anxiety
  4. scare
  5. fright
Noun
  • Messaging is also critical, given the impact of panic-buying.
    — Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • By then, CrowdStrike had fallen to the $90s, as panic had repeatedly ensued.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 5 July 2026
Definition of panic
Noun
  • Thibault in a news conference Tuesday said that authorities believe the incident was not related to terror.
    — Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 30 June 2026
  • Meanwhile, frightful aftershocks continued to rock the area, sowing terror in a population already reaching the limits of endurance.
    — Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Definition of terror
Noun
  • And at times members of the congregation thank her and others for casting aside those anxieties and keeping this place going.
    — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • That uncertainty allows anxiety to grow because your brain naturally wants answers that do not yet exist.
    — Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of anxiety
Noun
  • Cape Verde gave the defending champions a major scare on Friday, forcing extra time before Argentina got by via a late own goal in an epic Round of 32 confrontation.
    — Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
  • The 2022 champion, Argentina, is also there after surviving a huge scare by Cape Verde, the smallest nation ever to make the knockout rounds.
    — Phil Hay, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of scare
Noun
  • Both O’Flynn and Rhys have had spotlight episodes so far this season, but will Emmys voters see the pathos and creativity behind the laughs and frights?
    — William Earl, Variety, 11 June 2026
  • Copyright 2025, all frights reserved.
    — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Definition of fright

Browse Nearby Words

phlegmatic
phobia
phobias
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Cite this Entry

“Phobia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phobia. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on phobia

Nglish: Translation of phobia for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about phobia

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