Which suffix designates fear in medical terms?

• A. Phasia
• B. -Phobia
• C. Philia
• D. Phleb(o)

Answer: (B)

The suffix -phobia designates fear or avoidance in medical terms. It comes from the Greek phobos, meaning fear, and is attached to a root that names the thing feared (for example, acrophobia is fear of heights, claustrophobia is fear of confined spaces). This makes it the best fit for indicating fear.

For contrast: -phasia relates to speech or language (aphasia is loss of speech), -philia denotes attraction or love, and phleb(o) refers to veins.