squeamish

adjective

squea·​mish ˈskwē-mish 

1

a

: easily nauseated : queasy

b

: affected with nausea

2

a(1)

: excessively fastidious or scrupulous in conduct or belief

… I'm very fond of money and am not particularly squeamish. I would do anything that a man can do to secure it.

—Anthony Trollope

(2)

: afraid to do or deal with things that might be hurtful or offensive

As a boss you can't be too squeamish to fire people.

b

: easily offended or disgusted

I'm too squeamish to watch gory horror movies.

squeamishly adverb

squeamishness noun

Synonyms of squeamish

• sick
• queasy

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

For example, Underworld reckoned with reality through the occult, while his newest tape, Zombie Love Kensington Paradise, felt more like a squeamish effort in turning the circumstances of Kensington into content for the Skrilla brand. —Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2025

For non-squeamish types, the Surgeons’ Hall Museums are downright fascinating, and Edinburgh’s several cemeteries make for moody afternoon strolls. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2025

Like Lawrence, Sam Darnold isn’t squeamish about passing into tight windows or risking an INT blemish. —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025

So either Sinners will be a long-time-coming breakthrough for Coogler and Jordan … or the Academy will get squeamish about something. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 27 Sep. 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