iatrophobia

noun

iat·​ro·​pho·​bia (ˌ)ī-ˌa-trō-ˈfō-bē-ə How to pronounce iatrophobia (audio)
: intense fear of doctors
When confronted with the medical necessity to see a physician, the person with iatrophobia becomes anxious, may have chest pain, or shortness of breath.—Michael Loguidice
She took my blood pressure and pulse (both on the high side, but then my acute iatrophobia—a terror of doctors—may partly account for that).—Tom Utley
iatrophobe
(ˌ)ī-'a-trō-ˌfōb How to pronounce iatrophobia (audio)
noun
plural iatrophobes
I am an iatrophobe; I avoid doctors as much as I can. —John Derbyshire
iatrophobic
(ˌ)ī-ˌa-trō-ˈfō-bik How to pronounce iatrophobia (audio)
adjective
iatrophobic adults

Word History

Etymology

Greek iātro-, combining form of iātrós "physician, healer" + -phobia — more at -iatry

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of iatrophobia was in 1850

Dictionary Entries Near iatrophobia

iatrogenic

iatrophobia

-iatry

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Iatrophobia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/iatrophobia. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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