mysophobia

American  

[mahy-suh-foh-bee-uh] / ˌmaɪ səˈfoʊ bi ə /

noun

Psychiatry.

1. an irrational or disproportionate fear of germs and contamination.

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Other Word Forms

• mysophobe noun
• mysophobic adjective

Etymology

Origin of mysophobia

First recorded in 1875–80; from Greek mýso(s) “pollution, defilement, terrible sight” + -phobia

Example Sentences

Still, it's tempting to pick out certain traits – like her mysophobia or her obsession with starring in holiday song-and-dance performances despite being ridiculously tone deaf – and link them to specific leaders.

From Salon • Mar. 10, 2024

The victim of mysophobia will wash the hands after touching any object, and will, so far as possible, avoid touching objects which he thinks may possibly convey infection.

From Why Worry? by Walton, George Lincoln