Root Word Phobia List: 50+ Irrational Fears for SSC CGL, CHSL & Bank Exams
The Greek root word PHOBIA denotes an extreme, persistent, or irrational fear of a specific situation, object, or entity. Words ending with the suffix -phobia represent one of the most frequently asked categories in One Word Substitution (OWS) across SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS, CPO, and Banking examinations.
Deconstruction Trick: Every phobia term combines a Greek root denoting the object with the suffix -phobia (fear). Once you know the base Greek root (e.g., acro- = heights, hydro- = water, pyro- = fire, thanato- = death), you can instantly answer any OWS question without rote memorization!
Comprehensive Directory of 30+ Most Repeated Phobia Words in SSC
Study this exhaustive list with exact definitions, Hindi translations, root breakdowns, and historical examination appearances:
| Phobia Term | Object of Fear | Hindi Meaning | Root Word Derivation | Exam Appearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACROPHOBIA | Fear of heights / high places | ऊंचाई का डर | Acro (height/summit) + Phobia | SSC CGL 2018, 2021, 2023 Tier-1 |
| CLAUSTROPHOBIA | Fear of enclosed or confined spaces | बंद या संकीर्ण जगहों का डर | Claustrum (closed space) + Phobia | SSC CHSL 2020, 2022; CGL 2024 |
| AGORAPHOBIA | Fear of open or crowded public places | भीड़ या खुले स्थानों का डर | Agora (marketplace) + Phobia | SSC CGL 2019, 2022 Tier-2 |
| HYDROPHOBIA | Fear of water (rabies symptom) | पानी का डर | Hydro (water) + Phobia | SSC MTS 2021; CGL 2020 |
| XENOPHOBIA | Fear or hatred of strangers / foreigners | विदेशियों या अजनबियों का डर | Xenos (stranger) + Phobia | SSC CGL 2018, 2022 Tier-1 |
| PYROPHOBIA | Fear of fire | आग का डर | Pyro (fire) + Phobia | SSC CPO 2021; CHSL 2023 |
| THANATOPHOBIA | Fear of death or dying | मृत्यु का भय | Thanatos (death) + Phobia | SSC CGL Tier-2 2020 |
| NYCTOPHOBIA | Fear of darkness or night | अंधेरे का डर | Nycto (night/dark) + Phobia | SSC CHSL 2021; MTS 2023 |
| BIBLIOPHOBIA | Fear or hatred of books | किताबों से डर | Biblio (book) + Phobia | SSC CGL 2019 Tier-1 |
| ARACHNOPHOBIA | Fear of spiders | मकड़ियों का डर | Arachne (spider) + Phobia | SSC GD 2022; CHSL 2023 |
| CYNOPHOBIA | Fear of dogs | कुत्तों का डर | Cyno (dog) + Phobia | SSC CGL 2021 Tier-1 |
| AEROPHOBIA | Fear of flying or drafts of air | हवाई यात्रा का डर | Aero (air/flight) + Phobia | SSC CPO 2022 |
| AUTOPHOBIA / MONOPHOBIA | Fear of being alone or solitude | अकेलेपन का डर | Auto (self) / Mono (alone) + Phobia | SSC CGL 2020, 2023 Tier-2 |
| GAMOPHOBIA | Fear of marriage or commitment | शादी या बंधन का डर | Gamos (marriage) + Phobia | SSC CGL 2018, 2022 Tier-1 |
| GYNOPHOBIA | Fear or aversion to women | महिलाओं से डर | Gyne (woman) + Phobia | SSC CGL Tier-2 OWS |
| ANDROPHOBIA | Fear of men | पुरुषों से डर | Andro (man) + Phobia | SSC CHSL 2021 |
| OPHIDIOPHOBIA | Fear of snakes | सांपों का डर | Ophidio (snake) + Phobia | SSC CGL 2022 Tier-1 |
| GERONTOPHOBIA | Fear of old age or growing old | बुढ़ापे का डर | Geron (old man) + Phobia | SSC CGL 2021 Tier-2 |
| GLOSSOPHOBIA | Fear of public speaking | जनता के सामने बोलने का डर | Glosso (tongue/speech) + Phobia | SSC CGL 2020, 2023 Tier-1 |
| HEMOPHOBIA / HEMATOPHOBIA | Fear of blood | खून से डर | Hemo (blood) + Phobia | SSC CHSL 2021 OWS |
| KLEPTOPHOBIA | Fear of stealing or being robbed | चोरी होने का भय | Klepto (steal) + Phobia | SSC CGL Tier-2 OWS |
| CHIONOPHOBIA | Fear of snow | बर्फ़ से डर | Chion (snow) + Phobia | SSC MTS 2022 |
| ZOOPHOBIA | Fear of animals in general | जानवरों का डर | Zoo (animal) + Phobia | SSC GD Constable 2021 |
| ENTOMOPHOBIA | Fear of insects | कीड़े-मकौड़ों से डर | Entomo (insects) + Phobia | SSC CGL 2019 Tier-1 |
| HODOPHOBIA | Fear of road travel or journeys | यात्रा या रास्तों का डर | Hodo (road/journey) + Phobia | SSC CPO 2022 |
| PHONOPHOBIA | Fear of loud sounds or voices | तेज़ आवाज़ों का डर | Phono (sound/voice) + Phobia | SSC CHSL 2022 |
| DIPSOPHOBIA | Fear of drinking alcohol | शराब पीने का डर | Dipso (thirst/drink) + Phobia | SSC CGL OWS Shift List |
| TOXICOPHOBIA | Fear of poison or being poisoned | ज़हर का डर | Toxico (poison) + Phobia | SSC CGL 2021 Tier-2 |
| TRISKAIDEKAPHOBIA | Extreme superstition and fear of the number 13 | संख्या 13 का अत्यधिक भय | Triskaideka (thirteen) + Phobia | SSC CGL Tier-2 2019 OWS |
| AILUROPHOBIA / GATOPHOBIA | Fear of cats | बिल्लियों का डर | Ailuro (cat) + Phobia | SSC CPO 2021 OWS |
Interactive Knowledge Drill: Test Phobia Words
Select the One Word Substitution for "Fear of heights"
(Repeated in SSC CGL 2018, 2021, 2023 Tier-1)
Frequently Asked Questions on Phobia Root Words
What is the meaning of the root word PHOBIA?
The root 'phobia' comes from the Greek word 'phobos', which signifies an extreme, irrational, or persistent fear of or aversion to a specific object, situation, or entity.
What is the difference between Acrophobia and Claustrophobia?
Acrophobia (acro = heights) is the irrational fear of heights, whereas Claustrophobia (claustro = enclosed spaces) is the irrational fear of being in confined or enclosed spaces.
What is the fear of strangers or foreigners called in SSC CGL?
The fear or hatred of strangers or foreigners is known as Xenophobia (xeno = stranger/foreign + phobia = fear).
How often do phobia questions appear in SSC CGL and CHSL?
Phobia-based One Word Substitutions appear in practically every 2 to 3 exam shifts of SSC CGL, CHSL, and MTS, making it one of the highest-yield thematic vocabulary areas.
What is the opposite suffix to -phobia in English vocabulary?
The direct opposite suffix to -phobia is -philia (or -phile), which denotes an intense love, fondness, or affinity for something (e.g. Bibliophile vs Bibliophobia).
Explore High-Yield Latin & Greek Root Word Guides
Master competitive vocabulary by exploring our comprehensive root word family guides:
Root BENE (Good / Well)
18+ words: Benefactor, Benevolent, Benign, Benediction.
Root MAL (Bad / Evil)
18+ words: Malevolent, Malicious, Malady, Malfeasance.
Root LOQU / LOCUT (Speak)
16+ words: Loquacious, Eloquent, Soliloquy, Colloquial.
Root PHOBIA (Fear / Dread)
50+ words: Claustrophobia, Acrophobia, Hydrophobia.
Root PHIL / PHILE (Love)
20+ words: Bibliophile, Philanthropist, Philosophy.
Root BELLI (War / Fight)
18+ words: Bellicose, Belligerent, Antebellum, Rebellion.
Root CHRON (Time)
18+ words: Chronology, Anachronism, Chronic, Synchronize.
Root OMNI (All / Everywhere)
16+ words: Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, Omnivorous.