Phobic
Adjective
Definition: Having or involving an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something.
Synonyms: Fearful, Afraid, Terrified, Anxious, Apprehensive
Antonyms: Fearlessness, Bravery
- He has a phobic reaction to spiders.
- Her phobic fear of heights prevents her from enjoying roller coasters.
- Think of the word "phobia," which is a noun used to describe a specific fear or aversion. "Phobic" is the adjective form of it.
Etymology:
The word "phobic" originated from the Greek word "phobos," meaning fear or terror. It was first used in English in the late 19th century.
Historical Usage:The term "phobic" has been commonly used in psychology and psychiatry to describe irrational fears and aversions.
Related Idioms:
"Phobic disorder"
Explanation:Refers to a mental disorder characterized by an excessive, irrational fear towards a specific object or situation, such as agoraphobia (fear of open spaces) or arachnophobia (fear of spiders).
Misconceptions:
Using "phobic" to describe a general, rational fear.
Explanation:"Phobic" specifically refers to an extreme or irrational fear, not a common fear or cautionary response. Using it to describe a rational fear may mischaracterize the intensity or irrationality of the emotion.