Wave-fearing

Describing an individual or animal exhibiting an aversion or fear towards ocean waves, swells, or large bodies of moving water. This phobia can manifest as anxiety, avoidance of coastal areas, or distress upon witnessing waves. The intensity of the fear can vary, ranging from mild apprehension to severe panic. Often rooted in negative experiences such as near-drowning, witnessing accidents, or simply a generalized fear of the unknown and the power of the ocean, wave-fearing individuals might also be prone to the fear of other large water bodies. The condition impacts their recreation choices, lifestyle, and sometimes even career paths. In extreme cases, therapy such as exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may be utilized to help manage the fear.

Wave-fearing meaning with examples

• The young child, wave-fearing since a frightening experience at the beach, would cling tightly to their parents' hands whenever they approached the water. Their heart would race, and they'd plead to go back to the hotel, away from the crashing waves.
• Despite loving other aspects of beach life, the novelist was wave-fearing; the thought of getting too close to the ocean brought a cold sweat. This often limited their research efforts when writing about ocean-based stories, always seeking visual information online.
• The documentary followed the journey of a wave-fearing surfer attempting to overcome their terror by gradually reintroducing themselves to smaller waves under professional guidance, demonstrating the power of therapy in conquering such fears.
• The Labrador retriever, usually enthusiastic about playing fetch, became wave-fearing after a rogue wave nearly swept them out to sea. This created a challenge during beach walks, since it preferred the shade far from the ocean's reach.
• Her initial excitement about moving to a seaside town quickly faded as she realized she was wave-fearing. The constant sound and visual of the waves, which others found soothing, brought about intense feelings of unease and panic to her.