monophobia

American  

[mon-uh-foh-bee-uh] / ˌmɒn əˈfoʊ bi ə /

noun

1. an irrational or disproportionate fear of being alone.

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monophobia British  

/ ˌmɒnəʊˈfəʊbɪə /

noun

1. a strong fear of being alone

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Usage

What does monophobia mean? Monophobia is the abnormal fear of being alone. Some people have phobias, which are ”fears associated with specific objects or activities.” These abnormal (unusual) fears are typically considered irrational (not based on reason) because the object of the fear isn’t usually harmful. Often, these fears are formed around a traumatic event. Monophobia is different from separation anxiety, but the two are sometimes discussed alongside each other. Example: My monophobia makes it difficult for me to take trips alone.

Other Word Forms

• monophobic adjective

Etymology

Origin of monophobia

First recorded in 1880–85; mono- + -phobia

Example Sentences

Mvula’s 2016 album, “The Dreaming Room,” grappled with, among other things, the end of her marriage and her bouts of depression and panic attacks; she suffered from monophobia, fear of being alone.

From New York Times • Jul. 15, 2021

For years he's been open about his struggles with stress, anxiety and depression, as well as acute psychological conditions such as dissociative identity disorder, agoraphobia and monophobia.

From BBC • Dec. 12, 2018

And cursed with monophobia, none the less This Lowell lived alone there near LeRoy, Surrounded by his servants, at his desk A secretary named McGill, who took Such letters, editorials as he spoke.

From Domesday Book by Masters, Edgar Lee

The antithesis of this disease is called monophobia.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)