Aporophobia

A term coined by philosopher Adela Cortina, meaning the fear, aversion, and hostility directed specifically toward poor people and poverty itself. It is distinct from classism or economic inequality; it is the visceral disdain for the state of being poor and for those who embody it. Aporophobia is the sentiment behind blaming the poor for their circumstances, viewing them as lazy, dirty, or morally suspect, and justifying their neglect or punishment. It is the emotional engine that drives policies which criminalize homelessness, cut social safety nets, and design public spaces to be hostile to the unhoused.

Example: A city council passes an ordinance making it illegal to sit or lie on downtown sidewalks, installs benches with anti-homeless armrests, and advocates say this is about "public cleanliness and safety." The underlying motivation is aporophobia: a desire to remove the visible evidence and human presence of poverty from the sight of the wealthy, not to solve poverty. The poor person is treated not as a citizen in need, but as an aesthetic and moral pollutant.

by Dumuabzu January 25, 2026

apeirophobia

The fear of endless things.

Don't talk about space, I have apeirophobia.

by St. Chode November 22, 2016

agoraphobia

an anxiety disorder, when someone suffers from panic attacks to the point that they avoid so many situations they often become housbound. Not a fear of open spaces, in fact, when the word is broken down to original meanings, it means 'fear of the market place' in latin, which is a much more accurate description.

He wouldn't even go to the letter box because of his agoraphobia.

by karma-kaze July 3, 2006

Androphobia

1. an abnormal fear of men.

2. a hatred of males

Lucy is super scared of guys, last week she punched some guy cause he got too close to her, I think she has androphobia

by Slender man *-* January 5, 2014

Apollophobia

The fear of towels. Specifically the rough texture. Soft beach towels are exempt.

I was going to dry off after the shower, but I have Apollophobia.

I like bread and butter, but my acute Apollophobia is a hindrance on my day-to-day activities.

by OnlyPerson March 11, 2011

Grand Theft Agoraphobia

When your agoraphobia is so severe that you can navigate your way around easier in GTA than the city you live in irl.

Mark: "Hey, I'm catching a flight on saturday, do you think you could take me to the airport?"

Carl: "Sorry man, I've never been that far from home. I could've taken you if we were living in Las Venturas."

Mark: "That's a game..."

Carl: "Yeah.... but my Grand Theft Agoraphobia you know..."

by Grove Street Green September 29, 2010

Atrophobia

The fear of losing hard-earned muscle mass.

He eats the minute he wakes up and never misses a workout because he is scared of entering a catabolic state, he has a major case of atrophobia.

by DAW81 June 13, 2011