squeamish

[ skwee-mish ]

/ ˈskwi mɪʃ /

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See synonyms for: squeamish / squeamishly / squeamishness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

fastidious or dainty.

easily shocked by anything slightly immodest; prudish.

excessively particular or scrupulous as to the moral aspect of things.

easily nauseated or disgusted: to get squeamish at the sight of blood.

OTHER WORDS FOR squeamish

1 modest.

3 finical, finicky, delicate, exacting.

See synonyms for squeamish on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR squeamish

1-3 bold.

See antonyms for squeamish on Thesaurus.com

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of squeamish

First recorded in 1450–1500; late Middle English squaymysch, squaimish(e), alteration of squemes, squaymes, squaimous, squaymous “easily nauseated, nauseating, fastidious,” from Anglo-French escoimus, escoymous; further origin uncertain

OTHER WORDS FROM squeamish

squeam·ish·ly, adverbsqueam·ish·ness, nouno·ver·squeam·ish, adjectiveo·ver·squeam·ish·ly, adverb

o·ver·squeam·ish·ness, nounun·squeam·ish, adjectiveun·squeam·ish·ly, adverbun·squeam·ish·ness, noun

Words nearby squeamish

squeaker, squeaky, squeaky-clean, squeaky wheel gets the grease, squeal, squeamish, squee, squeegee, squeezable, squeeze, squeeze bottle

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use squeamish in a sentence

As a former vegetarian, I’m still squeamish about eating living things.
I Tried Lab-Grown Fish Maw. Here's Why It Could Help Save Our Oceans|Amy Gunia/Hong Kong|September 17, 2021|Time
If you’re still a bit squeamish, you could follow Wynne’s recipes for her preserves and apply the water-bath method for processing them.
I found an old-school technique to conquer my jam fears. Then I tried to figure out if it’s safe.|Charlotte Druckman|August 26, 2021|Washington Post
The second is that I am infamous for being un-squeamish in dining.
Gene Weingarten: Would you like some Brood X with your Dom Pérignon?|Gene Weingarten|May 21, 2021|Washington Post
Before visiting the Roselands’ ranch, Virginia was squeamish about the idea of shooting an animal, and nervous that her experience at gun ranges wouldn’t translate to safety in the field.
How Non-Native Pheasants Protect American Biodiversity|Wes Siler|April 1, 2021|Outside Online

If you’re someone who’s a bit squeamish about the feeling of raw eggs in your hand, perhaps it’s not for you.
How to separate eggs without the stress or mess|Becky Krystal|February 8, 2021|Washington Post
None were squeamish about organising power to pursue their object.
One U.S. Constitution Just Wasn’t Enough|Tom Arnold-Forster|July 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Katy Perry as a squeamish conservative is a little hard to swallow.
Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus Kiss, Break Up, Make Up|Amy Zimmerman|March 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Partisans are seldom over-squeamish about their choice of allies.
Michael Scheuer’s Meltdown|David Frum|January 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Linda Kasabian, a more recent and squeamish recruit, was left to stand guard at the gate.
The Making of a Monster: Charles Manson’s Childhood|Wendy Smith|August 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Plenty of non-conservatives are squeamish about 20-plus-week abortions.
Rep. Trent Franks: Just Another Idiot When It Comes to Abortion|Michelle Cottle|June 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Yet so squeamish did he become when once the official mantle had descended upon his shoulders, that even the exclamations “lud!”
A Cursory History of Swearing|Julian Sharman
Even for the most squeamish the discomforts of the voyage lay behind.
The Highgrader|William MacLeod Raine
Had you not been so over squeamish you might have changed the children, and made your own son the heir of the Moncton.
The Monctons: A Novel, Volume I|Susanna Moodie
Those who are responsible are squeamish as to the appearance of delicacy in the conduct of a young girl.
The Wayfarers|Mary Stewart Cutting
True humanity consists not in a squeamish ear, but in listening to the story of human suffering and endeavoring to relieve it.
The Anti-Slavery Examiner, Part 3 of 4|American Anti-Slavery Society

British Dictionary definitions for squeamish

squeamish

/ (ˈskwiːmɪʃ) /

adjective

easily sickened or nauseated, as by the sight of blood

easily shocked; fastidious or prudish

easily frightenedsqueamish about spiders

Derived forms of squeamish

squeamishly, adverbsqueamishness, noun

Word Origin for squeamish

C15: from Anglo-French escoymous, of unknown origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

squeamish

OTHER WORDS FOR squeamish

OPPOSITES FOR squeamish

Origin of squeamish

OTHER WORDS FROM squeamish

Words nearby squeamish

Words related to squeamish

How to use squeamish in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for squeamish

Derived forms of squeamish

Word Origin for squeamish