as in panic
an extremely strong dislike or fear of someone or something
His fear of crowds eventually developed into a phobia.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of phobia
There are not enough studies to support acupuncture as an effective treatment for other types of anxiety disorders such as panic disorder, phobias, social anxiety disorder, and separation anxiety disorder.2
Does Acupuncture Help With Anxiety?
—
Michelle Pugle, Verywell Health, 26 Sep. 2024
This fear is categorized as a specific phobia, which can often occur alongside anxiety disorders and OCD.
—Joy Emeh, Health, 8 Sep. 2024
Despite being left with a phobia of water, the 24-year-old reconnected with her old coach James Barone in September 2023, according to The Guardian.
—Jamie Barton, CNN, 6 Sep. 2024
Young children commonly fear death and may develop phobias around it.
—Wendy Wisner, Health, 26 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for phobia 
Michelle Pugle, Verywell Health, 26 Sep. 2024
This fear is categorized as a specific phobia, which can often occur alongside anxiety disorders and OCD.
—Joy Emeh, Health, 8 Sep. 2024
Despite being left with a phobia of water, the 24-year-old reconnected with her old coach James Barone in September 2023, according to The Guardian.
—Jamie Barton, CNN, 6 Sep. 2024
Young children commonly fear death and may develop phobias around it.
—Wendy Wisner, Health, 26 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for phobia
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phobia
Noun
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Not the American economy, which twitched from panic to triumph to panic and, in 1907, had to be bailed out with private funds from Morgan and his associates.Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
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The second season of Bad Sisters opens on a familiar note: The Garvey sisters screeching through their panic.Jen Chaney, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Riley's sister Lauren Phillips talked about Riley's terror during her final moments.Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
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The songs add extra joy and vigor to a take if tragedy and terror (and Jai being extremely dramatic about his love life), with dance performances by Hema Malini and a Holi celebration.Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 19 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Loading your audio article Although spooky season is over, the scares don’t have to stop.Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024
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The Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees 4-2 on Saturday, surviving a ninth-inning scare to take a commanding two-games-to-none lead in this best-of-seven World Series. Dodgers Plaschke: Ouch-tani!Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
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The federal government is spending billions to build new chargers to address that anxiety.Camila Domonoske, NPR, 22 Nov. 2024
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Use these tips to replace dread and anxiety with confidence this performance review season!Sean Manning, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Michael Dougherty’s masterful Halloween triptych tells three sinister stories about the inhabitants of a small town (including Anna Paquin, Brian Cox, and Leslie Bibb) who encounter a variety of frights on All Hallow’s Eve.EW.com, EW.com, 31 Oct. 2024
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As Halloween approaches, the air crackles with excitement and while some dive into traditional frights — vampires, ghosts and ghouls — one Phoenix resident is taking a different approach: a tribute to the pop icon herself, Taylor Swift.Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 29 Oct. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Phobia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phobia. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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