What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
nosophobia
Example
Her nosophobia made her avoid any contact with people who might be sick. [nosophobia: noun]
Example
He constantly checked his temperature and symptoms due to his nosophobia. [nosophobia: adjective]
pathophobia
Example
Her pathophobia made it difficult for her to visit the doctor for routine check-ups. [pathophobia: noun]
Example
His pathophobic tendencies caused him to panic at the sight of medical equipment. [pathophobic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Nosophobia and pathophobia are both relatively uncommon words, and may not be familiar to many English speakers. However, they are useful terms for describing specific types of phobias related to health and illness.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between nosophobia and pathophobia?
Both nosophobia and pathophobia are formal words that may be more commonly used in medical or psychological contexts than in everyday conversation.