astraphobia

1 9.9

A strong fear of thunder and lightning that makes someone very scared

noun
/ˌæstrəˈfoʊbiə/

Specialized

: astrafobia

Many children develop astraphobia after experiencing particularly violent thunderstorms.

Examples

Those suffering from astraphobia may seek shelter at the slightest hint of thunder.
My friend has severe astraphobia.
His severe astraphobia made it impossible for him to relax during summer storms.
Many children experience astraphobia during storms.
Her astraphobia made her anxious whenever a storm was approaching.
As a child, he developed astraphobia after being frightened during a thunderstorm.
People with astraphobia often feel terrified when they hear thunder or see lightning.

Antonyms

calmness

11 2.7

A state without strong feelings or worry in your mind

fearlessness

8 4.1

Not being afraid in danger or trouble

How Afraid

astraphobia

Specialized

1 9.9

fear

∞ 1.0

anxiety

484 3.5

unease

21 4.4

Surface Forms

astraphobia singular

astraphobias plural

Morphology

astraphobia = astra + phobia

The word is a learned technical term built on a Greek combining form for lightning or thunder plus -phobia, but the initial element is not a transparent English word, so most learners cannot infer the meaning from the parts.

Etymology

Astraphobia is not about stars; it comes from the Greek parts astrap- meaning 'lightning' and -phobia meaning 'fear'. So, it names a strong fear of lightning and thunder.