1
a
: having an intolerance or aversion for
photophobic
Anglophobic
b
: exhibiting a phobia for
claustrophobic
2
: lacking chemical affinity for (see affinity entry 1 sense 2b(2))
These polymers are like soaps, with a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic portion in the molecule.—
Mercouri G. Kanatzidis
compare -philic
Mercouri G. KanatzidisExamples of phobic in a Sentence
Adjective
She is phobic about heights.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2024
Together, the two wrote and illustrated a book that helped the bug phobic deal with the Brood X cicada emergence 17 years ago, and that now, as the red-eyed creatures prepare to make another grand appearance, is landing in the hands of the newly anxious.
—Washington Post, 28 Apr. 2021
At a time when many filmmakers are paranoically spoiler-phobic, director Daniel Goldhaber doesn’t mind if audiences know the outcome of his new movie going in.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2023
According To Your Zodiac Sign Nevertheless, because Gemini is so mutable (and, uh, commitment-phobic) this pair might have some trouble locking down the relationship.
—Women's Health, 14 Mar. 2023
See all Example Sentences for phobic 
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.
Adjective
Conway is mousy, phobic of plane travel, and loves her parents and her cat, a Scottish Fold named Alfie.
—Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2024
Together, the two wrote and illustrated a book that helped the bug phobic deal with the Brood X cicada emergence 17 years ago, and that now, as the red-eyed creatures prepare to make another grand appearance, is landing in the hands of the newly anxious.
—Washington Post, 28 Apr. 2021
At a time when many filmmakers are paranoically spoiler-phobic, director Daniel Goldhaber doesn’t mind if audiences know the outcome of his new movie going in.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2023
According To Your Zodiac Sign Nevertheless, because Gemini is so mutable (and, uh, commitment-phobic) this pair might have some trouble locking down the relationship.
—Women's Health, 14 Mar. 2023
See all Example Sentences for phobic
Dictionary Entries Near phobic
Cite this Entry
“Phobic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phobic. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share