commitment-phobia
Fear of dedication
Commitment-phobia is an intense aversion to long-term obligations, especially in romantic relationships.
Someone with commitment-phobia may avoid moving in together, getting engaged, or defining a relationship: His commitment-phobia kicked in the moment she mentioned marriage.
The term extends beyond romance to career decisions, major purchases, or any binding choice.
Delay from uncertainty
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- indecisivenessFailure to commit
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- vacillatingSwaying between choices
doubt · reluctance · on-again-off-again · fence-sitting · wishy-washy · noncommittal · half-hearted · lukewarm
Act of escaping detection
- escapeFlight from captivity
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- retreatSanctuary or withdrawal
- deflectionChange in trajectory
distancing · sidestepping · circumvention · ghosting · stonewalling · breadcrumbing · running · fleeing
Independent decision-making capacity
- freedomAbsence of constraint
- self-relianceDepending on oneself alone
- singlehoodUnmarried state
- unattachedNot joined or connected
flexibility · solitude · privacy · individualism · self-sufficiency · untethered · unencumbered · bachelor
Emotional response to threat
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
- trepidationFearful uncertainty
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
nervousness · unease · overwhelm · insecurity · stress · worry · jitters · restlessness
Wary and restrained
- closed-offEmotionally unreachable, reserved
- detachmentSeparation or emotional uninvolvement
hesitation
Delay from uncertainty
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- indecisivenessFailure to commit
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
vacillating · doubt · reluctance · on-again-off-again · fence-sitting · wishy-washy · noncommittal · half-hearted · lukewarm · tentative
evasion
Act of escaping detection
- escapeFlight from captivity
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- retreatSanctuary or withdrawal
deflection · distancing · sidestepping · circumvention · ghosting · stonewalling · breadcrumbing · running · fleeing · bolting
autonomy
Independent decision-making capacity
- freedomAbsence of constraint
- self-relianceDepending on oneself alone
- singlehoodUnmarried state
unattached · flexibility · solitude · privacy · individualism · self-sufficiency · untethered · unencumbered · bachelor · bachelorette
fear
Emotional response to threat
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
- trepidationFearful uncertainty
apprehension · nervousness · unease · overwhelm · insecurity · stress · worry · jitters · restlessness · agitation
guarded
Wary and restrained
- closed-offEmotionally unreachable, reserved
- detachmentSeparation or emotional uninvolvement
commitment-phobianesting instinct
Drive to prepare home
romantic idealism · commitment · devotion · dedication · settling down
commitment-phobiasecure attachment
Reliable caregiver-child emotional bond
anxious attachment · clinginess · emotional availability · codependency · separation anxiety
commitment-phobiadecisiveness
Ability to choose firmly
resolution · steadfastness · determination · follow-through · loyalty
commitment, phobia, commit, commits, committed, committing, committal, recommit, recommitment