squeamish

adjective

squea·​mish ˈskwē-mish 

1

a

: easily nauseated : queasy

b

: affected with nausea

2

a

: excessively fastidious or scrupulous in conduct or belief

b

: easily offended or disgusted

squeamishly adverb

squeamishness noun

Synonyms

• ill
• nauseated
• nauseous
• qualmish
• queasy
• queazy
• queer
• queerish
• sick
• sickish

Examples of squeamish in a Sentence

I used to be squeamish about eating raw fish.

I'm too squeamish to watch horror movies.

Recent Examples on the Web

In a report out Friday, Colas reported anecdotes of squeamish investors as a result of President Donald Trump’s on-again, off-again tariff policy, on top of worries around the health of the broad economy. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2025

Private onsens are particularly sought after by international tourists because communal onsens require visitors to enjoy their dip fully naked - a custom many foreign travelers aren’t familiar with, or feel squeamish about. —Chris Lau, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025

And gone were the guardrails from squeamish studios. —Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2025

Exactly five years ago, the world united in squeamish horror against the dozen famous people who decided that the best way to deal with the rapidly worsening pandemic was to sing a John Lennon song on Instagram. —Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English squaymisch, modification of Anglo-French escoymous

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing squeamish

• not for the squeamish
• the squeamish

Rhymes for squeamish

• beamish

Kids Definition

squeamish

adjective

squea·​mish ˈskwē-mish 

1

a

: easily made sick : queasy

b

: affected with nausea : nauseated

2

: easily shocked or disgusted

squeamishly adverb

squeamishness noun