Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

mysophobia

Noun

/ˌmaɪsəˈfoʊbiə/

Definition

An extreme or irrational fear of dirt or germs.

Examples

Her mysophobia made her constantly wash her hands.
Due to his mysophobia, he avoided crowded places to reduce his exposure to germs.
People with mysophobia often carry hand sanitizer everywhere they go.

Meaning

Mysophobia is the fear of contamination and is often characterized by a strong aversion to dirt, germs, and unclean situations. This fear can lead to excessive cleaning behaviors and avoidance of situations perceived as dirty.