Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Suffering from agoraphobia: Describes a person who has an abnormal, intense, and irrational fear of open spaces, crowded public places, or situations from which escape might be difficult or help unavailable.
   • Characteristic of or relating to agoraphobia: Pertaining to the symptoms, feelings, or experiences associated with this anxiety disorder.

Usage

• The word is primarily used as an adjective to describe a person or their psychological state.
• It can also be used attributively to describe things related to the condition (e.g., agoraphobic symptoms, agoraphobic tendencies).

Examples

• Adjective:
  • She became increasingly agoraphobic and found it difficult to leave her house.
  • His agoraphobic anxiety was triggered by the thought of using public transportation.
  • The support group is for agoraphobic individuals.

Advanced Usage

• As a noun (informal/clinical): While primarily an adjective, "agoraphobic" can be used informally as a noun to refer to a person who suffers from agoraphobia.
  • The therapist specializes in treating agoraphobics.

Variants and Related Words

• Agoraphobia (n): The noun form denoting the anxiety disorder itself.
  • She was diagnosed with agoraphobia.
• Agoraphobe (n): A less common but acceptable noun for a person with agoraphobia.

Synonyms

• Phobic (adj): Having an irrational fear of a specific thing. (More general; "agoraphobic" is specific.)
• Anxiety-ridden (adj): Filled with anxiety. (Describes the state but not the specific cause.)

Antonyms

• Adventurous (adj): Willing to take risks or try new experiences.
• Venturesome (adj): Daring; inclined to undertake new and daring enterprises.

Related Phrases/Idioms

(Note: "Agoraphobic" itself is not typically part of idioms. The related condition, agoraphobia, is a clinical term.) - Fear of open spaces: A descriptive phrase for one aspect of agoraphobia. - Housebound due to anxiety: A descriptive phrase for a potential consequence of severe agoraphobia.

Adjective

1. suffering from agoraphobia; abnormally afraid of open or public places