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.
Synonyms
- Germophobia
- Contamination fear
- Dirt aversion