squeamish

USAGE SUMMARY

'squeamish' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who has a delicate or easily upset stomach, or someone who is overly fastidious or fastidious about small details. For example: "Whenever I see blood, I become extremely squeamish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You relate that editor William Shawn [New Yorker editor from 1952 to 1987] was squeamish about "fish-hooks, wigs, twins and midgets".

The Guardian - Books

Sarah Kane's Blasted picked up the challenge of bringing the horrors of a war zone into a domestic setting, though most critics were initially squeamish and dismissive of Titus-like scenes of incestuous rape, eye-gouging and baby-burial under the floorboards.

The Guardian

"The question I ask myself," he goes on, "is: have I really just become a squeamish middle-aged man, or has something happened to the horror genre that shows a growing appetite for watching torture, or at least a desire to explore it on film?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I'm still waiting …" Snow is actually quite squeamish about blood and guts, said fellow newsreader Krishnan Guru-Murthy.

The Guardian

And both Thailand and Cambodia, long among the activists' favourite examples of how to get things right (don't be squeamish about handing out condoms, particularly to prostitutes, is an important part of the message), continue to do well.Another once-lauded favourite, however, has been sent to the back of the class.

The Economist

Nor is anybody squeamish about the death sentences handed out, or the army's shoot-to-kill policy towards the militiamen.

The Economist

But to form a government he has been forced to hobnob with characters whose records are not for the squeamish.

The Economist

Hizbullah's clerics, for example, have always been squeamish about suicidal missions.

The Economist

Mr Gribbin reckons they are "not for the squeamish", and moves on.

The Economist

The British are less squeamish on that point: there is, for instance, a Sainsbury wing at the National Gallery and a Sackler wing at London's Royal Academy of Arts named, respectively, after a retailing and a pharmaceutical family.

The Economist

Judging by this remorselessly bleak account of Iraq's moral collapse, one cannot but feel squeamish about Iraq's future, under any regime.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "squeamish" to describe a person's aversion to something unpleasant, such as blood, violence, or morally questionable situations. It effectively conveys a sense of discomfort or unease.

Common error

Avoid using "squeamish" as a general term for simply disliking something. It specifically implies a feeling of nausea, unease, or moral aversion, not just a preference.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "squeamish" primarily functions to describe a person's sensitivity or aversion to unpleasant things, such as blood, violence, or morally objectionable situations. Ludwig confirms it's a usable word. The examples show it modifying nouns to indicate this aversion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "squeamish" is a common and grammatically sound adjective used to describe someone easily disgusted or upset, particularly by unpleasant sights, situations, or moral issues. Ludwig AI indicates that the word is correct and usable in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media sources, indicating a neutral to slightly informal register. While alternatives like "easily nauseated" or "overly sensitive" exist, "squeamish" provides a distinct nuance related to aversion and discomfort. The main mistake to avoid is using it for simple dislike, as it implies a stronger feeling of unease or moral objection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

easily nauseated

Focuses specifically on the physical reaction of nausea.

easily disgusted

Emphasizes the feeling of revulsion or aversion.

overly sensitive

Highlights the emotional aspect of being easily upset.

easily offended

Focuses on being easily upset by perceived insults or slights.

queasy

A more informal term for feeling nauseated or uneasy.

fastidious

Suggests a meticulous and often overly critical nature.

dainty

Implies a delicate and refined sensibility, sometimes to an excessive degree.

prudish

Refers to being excessively concerned with sexual propriety.

scrupulous

Indicates a strong moral sense that makes one hesitant to do wrong.

squeaking clean

A phrase that describes a very clean surface

FAQs

How to use "squeamish" in a sentence?

You can use "squeamish" to describe someone who is easily disgusted or made nervous by unpleasant things. For instance, "He was too "squeamish" to watch the surgery" or "She's "squeamish" about eating meat".

What can I say instead of "squeamish"?

Alternatives to "squeamish" include "easily nauseated", "overly sensitive", or "easily disgusted". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "squeamish" a positive or negative trait?

"Squeamish" is generally considered a neutral or slightly negative trait. It implies a lack of robustness or an oversensitivity to unpleasantness, which may be seen as a weakness in some contexts.

What's the difference between "squeamish" and "queasy"?

"Squeamish" describes a general disposition to being easily disgusted or upset, while "queasy" refers specifically to a feeling of nausea or sickness.