feel squeamish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feel squeamish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a feeling of discomfort or unease, often in response to something unpleasant or disturbing. Example: "I tend to feel squeamish when watching horror movies, especially during the gory scenes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

However, I feel squeamish about wearing something that alters reality.

Independent

Yet many couples feel squeamish or even crass about asking.

The New York Times

We don't want to feel squeamish or uncomfortable.

The Washington Post

Do you feel squeamish about speaking in your own voice?

The Guardian

Democrats may feel squeamish about aspects of the deal, starting with the bypassing of Congress.

The Economist

Did August's actions ever make you feel squeamish as you were working on it?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

"Journeyman" just feels squeamish.

The New York Times

Mr. Walsh felt squeamish coming out as a Paul supporter.

The New York Times

I felt squeamish about the oysters and cream of camembert on toast.

The New Yorker

Feeling squeamish about all those amateur college kids making money for everybody but themselves?

The New Yorker

SoftBank Group and its chief executive, Masayoshi Son, helped the Saudis gain acceptance among startups that might have felt squeamish taking money directly from Riyadh, tech executives say.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feel squeamish" when describing a mild sense of unease, disgust, or discomfort, particularly in response to something unpleasant but not necessarily harmful. It's often appropriate when discussing reactions to sensitive or slightly taboo topics.

Common error

Avoid using "feel squeamish" in highly formal or professional writing where a more precise and sophisticated term might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "feel apprehensive" or "feel uneasy" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel squeamish" functions as a verb phrase, expressing a subjective emotional or physical reaction. It typically describes a state of mild disgust, unease, or discomfort in response to something unpleasant or disturbing. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feel squeamish" is a commonly used verb phrase that describes a mild sense of discomfort, unease, or disgust. Ludwig AI validates its proper grammatical status. It's frequently used in news and media contexts, as well as in informal settings like wikis. While generally acceptable, it may be prudent to opt for more formal alternatives in professional or academic writing, like "feel uneasy" or "feel apprehensive". When deciding to use the expression consider other terms like "feel queasy" or "feel revolted" if they are more appropriate in the context. The phrase is most fitting when describing reactions to sensitive, unpleasant, or slightly taboo topics. Sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel uneasy

Replaces "squeamish" with a more general term for discomfort.

feel queasy

Focuses on the physical sensation of nausea or sickness.

feel uncomfortable

Emphasizes a lack of ease or comfort in a situation.

feel revolted

Indicates a strong feeling of disgust or revulsion.

feel disgusted

Similar to 'revolted', but can also imply moral disapproval.

feel apprehensive

Highlights anxiety or fear about something.

feel reluctant

Indicates unwillingness or hesitation.

feel aversion

Expresses a strong dislike or disinclination.

feel repugnance

Suggests a feeling of intense disgust or aversion.

feel queasiness

This noun form suggests a state or feeling of nausea.

FAQs

How to use "feel squeamish" in a sentence?

You can use "feel squeamish" to express a mild sense of disgust or discomfort. For example, "I tend to "feel squeamish" when watching surgery scenes in movies." or "Many people "feel squeamish" about eating insects".

What can I say instead of "feel squeamish"?

You can use alternatives like "feel uneasy", "feel uncomfortable", or "feel queasy" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "feel squeamish" in formal writing?

While "feel squeamish" is generally acceptable, it might be more suitable for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise and sophisticated alternatives like "feel apprehensive" or "feel reluctant".

What's the difference between "feel squeamish" and "feel disgusted"?

"Feel squeamish" implies a milder form of discomfort or unease, while "feel disgusted" suggests a stronger feeling of revulsion or strong disapproval. Squeamishness is often related to sensitivity, whereas disgust is a more intense negative reaction.