arachnophobia
noun
Sherry Boas
Did you know?
In Greek mythology, Arachne was a weaver of such skill that she dared to challenge the goddess Athena at her craft. When she won their competition by weaving a tapestry disrespectful to the gods, the enraged Athena tore it to shreds, and in despair Arachne hanged herself. Out of pity, Athena loosened the rope, which became a cobweb, and changed Arachne into a spider. Today, the spiders, scorpions, mites, and ticks all belong to the class known as arachnids. Arachnophobia is the most common of the animal phobias; but many people suffer from similar phobias regarding snakes (ophidiophobia), dogs (cynophobia), and mice and rats (musophobia).
Examples of arachnophobia in a Sentence
Ryan Maxin, Austin American-Statesman, 5 June 2024
Most of these studies recruited participants with levels of arachnophobia that would qualify for a diagnosis and included a test involving approaching a spider.
—Simon Makin, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2024
Cornerstone is also handling worldwide sales and distribution for Roache-Turner’s upcoming arachnophobia horror Sting, which will be released by Studiocanal in the U.K., Australia, New Zeland, France, Germany, Switzerland and Benelux.
—Alex Ritman, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Oct. 2023
Spidey Senses Pumpkin Besides heights, small spaces, and needles, the fear of spiders, otherwise known as arachnophobia, is one of the most common frights.
—Annie O’Sullivan, Woman's Day, 18 Aug. 2023
Interestingly, the game’s accessibility features include an arachnophobia mode that will eliminate the game’s spider enemies.
—Ash Parrish, The Verge, 19 Apr. 2023
And the exposure to spiders is curing some viewers of their arachnophobia – and inspiring them to give the petite pets a chance.
—Scottie Andrew, CNN, 25 Mar. 2023
How rastafarians can help cure arachnophobia.
—Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 26 Sep. 2012
StudioCanal has taken multiple territories on Sting, the upcoming arachnophobia horror movie from writer/director Kiah Roache-Turner that has just wrapped production in Sydney.
—Alex Ritman, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2023
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Cite this Entry
“Arachnophobia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arachnophobia. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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arachnophobia
noun
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