squeamishness

noun

Definition of squeamishnessnext
1
as in nausea
a disturbed condition of the stomach in which one feels like vomiting an ever-rising squeamishness suddenly overwhelmed her, and she ran for the bathroom

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in queasiness
the tendency to be or state of being squeamish his general squeamishness makes him a terrible choice as a lab partner for a dissection

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of squeamishness Some critics’ squeamishness seems aimed at the act of invention itself, the florid dreaming in the face of reality. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 1 June 2026 Eight out of 10 survived the war, thanks in part to the relative squeamishness of Hungary’s homegrown Fascist leaders. — Joshua Levine, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026 The squeamishness reflects a certain independent streak held by voters in both states and a willingness by some to push back. — Isabella Volmert, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025 At the State Budget Committee meeting where the renovation spending was approved, Democrats expressed the concerns many have about making sure detainees maintain civil rights and access to legal representation ― as well as some squeamishness over the profit discussion. — Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 18 Sep. 2025 This is where generalized odor anxiety intersects with the aforementioned puritanical squeamishness. — Franklin Schneider, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025 The idea prompts a degree of squeamishness. — David A. Brenner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025 Part of the cultural discomfort with the show’s reboot reflects a squeamishness with the idea of women aging. — Lyz Lenz, Rolling Stone, 16 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squeamishness
  1. nausea
  2. queasiness
  3. sickness
  4. fastidiousness
  5. delicacy
Noun
  • The usual bleary nausea of such early rises is absent, shooed away by sobriety, exercises, and fruits and vegetables.
    — CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • People infected with salmonella can experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, the CDC said.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of nausea
Noun
  • There’s a queasiness to her self-loathing that feels especially potent to the teenage experience.
    — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 26 June 2026
  • So if the tech queasiness becomes a tech sell-off, the rest of the stock market will need to do the heavy lifting.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 26 June 2026
Definition of queasiness
Noun
  • Even the pancreas of a character’s unseen wife, the sickness in which AIG promises to double back and cure if only everyone keeps hurtling forward.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026
  • From sickness and ennui came the writing of an algorithm that would solve the underlying mathematics of the bomb.
    — Artforum, Artforum, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of sickness
Noun
  • Bryant is a restrained writer, and the fastidiousness of his elastic text does little to allay those who are likely to become inflamed.
    — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026
  • More such fastidiousness will be needed to arrest the domino effect of delegitimization and to renew the small guarantees of truth and dignity in public life customarily provided by legacy institutions.
    — Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Definition of fastidiousness
Noun
  • After working up a serious appetite, the men tucked into a local delicacy, poutine, as well as the main dish, something called sushi pizza.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 6 Oct. 2026
  • There was a lightness and delicacy to Giada‘s spring collection, which was inspired by jasmine, and Cosimo de’ Medici’s love of the Renaissance bloom.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of delicacy

Browse Nearby Words

squeamish
squeamishness
squeeze
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Squeamishness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squeamishness. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All