squeamish

If the sight of blood makes you look away, or you cannot stand watching surgery on TV, you might be described as squeamish. It means being easily upset or disgusted by things that feel gross, unpleasant, or disturbing. A squeamish person may feel a little sick, weak, or uncomfortable when they see, hear, or think about such things. You can also be squeamish about certain topics, meaning you do not like talking about them because they make you uneasy.

"Squeamish" describes someone who is easily disturbed by unpleasant sights, sounds, smells, or even ideas. It is more than a simple dislike. It often suggests a feeling of disgust, discomfort, or mild nausea that makes a person want to look away, step back, or avoid something completely.

A person might feel this way about blood, injuries, medical procedures, dead animals, dirty bathrooms, certain foods, or graphic details in a story. For example, someone may be squeamish about touching raw meat, watching a dentist pull a tooth, or hearing a very detailed description of a wound. The word often appears with "about," as in "squeamish about blood" or "squeamish about medical talk."

The word can also be used in a broader way for someone who is uncomfortable with actions they feel are unpleasant or wrong. For example, a person might be squeamish about lying, cheating, or reading the ugly details of a crime report. In this sense, the idea is still one of strong discomfort, even if there is no blood or physical mess involved.

Usually, "squeamish" does not mean afraid in a general sense. It mainly points to a strong aversion to things that feel gross, disturbing, or hard to face. A person can be brave in danger and still be squeamish at the sight of a needle. So if you recoil from something messy or graphic, this is often the right word.