: an exaggerated usually inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation
1
: exaggerated fear of
acrophobia
2
: intolerance or aversion for
photophobia
Examples of phobia in a Sentence
Noun
His fear of crowds eventually developed into a phobia.
Recent Examples on the Web
Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 21 June 2024
As the name implies, this treatment involves exposing people to their phobias (such as snakes, airplanes, or, yep, social rejection) in small, manageable steps.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 21 June 2024
Friends say Susan would call him constantly to help deal with her now-raging phobias.
—Lisa Depaulo, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2024
Russia's 2008 war against Georgia serves as a reminder of how the West can miscalculate the phobias, however indefensible, of rival great powers.
—Vance Chang, Foreign Affairs, 1 May 2010
See all Example Sentences for phobia 
Noun
Rebel Wilson has a serious phobia of insects — and with good reason.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 21 June 2024
As the name implies, this treatment involves exposing people to their phobias (such as snakes, airplanes, or, yep, social rejection) in small, manageable steps.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 21 June 2024
Friends say Susan would call him constantly to help deal with her now-raging phobias.
—Lisa Depaulo, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2024
Russia's 2008 war against Georgia serves as a reminder of how the West can miscalculate the phobias, however indefensible, of rival great powers.
—Vance Chang, Foreign Affairs, 1 May 2010
See all Example Sentences for phobia
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'phobia.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near phobia
Cite this Entry
“Phobia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phobia. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
phobia
noun
pho·bia
ˈfō-bē-ə 
: an unreasonable, abnormal, and lasting fear of something
Medical Definition
phobia
noun
pho·bia
ˈfō-bē-ə
: an exaggerated and often disabling fear usually inexplicable to the subject and having sometimes a logical but usually an illogical or symbolic object, class of objects, or situation compare compulsion, obsession
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