qualm

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noun \ ˈkwäm also ˈkwȯm or ˈkwälm \

Definition of qualm

1 :a feeling of uneasiness about a point especially of conscience or propriety

had no qualms about asking for their help

It was about an enduring secular world where people did unspeakable things, seemingly without qualm and without any grave consequences to themselves.
—Jim Holt

2 :a sudden feeling of usually disturbing emotion (such as doubt or fear)

I had a qualm of absolute horror, and shuddered; and then the emotion was immediately repressed or suppressed.
—Oliver Sacks

3 :a sudden attack of illness, faintness, or nausea

The doctor seemed seized with a qualm of faintness.
—Robert Louis Stevenson

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qualmy

play \ˈkwä-mē also ˈkwȯ- or ˈkwäl-\ adjective

See qualm defined for English-language learners

See qualm defined for kids

qualm was our Word of the Day on 01/16/2016. Hear the podcast!

Examples of qualm in a Sentence

He accepted their offer without a qualm.
she has no qualms about downloading pirated music files from the Internet

Recent Examples of qualm from the Web

Many assumed that if officials had qualms about Vigna, he would not be left in the classroom.

— donna st. george, Washington Post, "He was warned about getting too close to students. But this Maryland teacher was allowed to stay in the classroom.," 25 Aug. 2017
Deborah appears to have embraced it without qualm—and over time seems to have accepted it as a surrogate for her son.

— stephen coss, Smithsonian, "What Led Benjamin Franklin to Live Estranged From His Wife for Nearly Two Decades?," 24 Aug. 2017
The timeline seems to suggest that around that time, Levandowski was having serious qualms about his work at Google, which coincided with Uber’s desire to ramp up its knowledge of lidar as a way to quickly expand its autonomous vehicle program.

— cyrus farivar, Ars Technica, "Uber’s ex-CEO: Given reason for alleged Waymo data heist is “f***ing dumb”," 8 Aug. 2017
Durkin has no qualms about the possibility of starting a true freshman, especially one as talented as the former St. John’s College High star.

— don markus, baltimoresun.com, "As preseason camp opens at Maryland, quarterback battle revived with one notable addition," 2 Aug. 2017
Pamela Allen has no such qualms when talking about her own recovery.

— denise coffey, Courant Community, "Sharing Thoughts About Faith-Based Recovery Programs," 1 Aug. 2017
Here’s Ian: Sarsour seems to have no qualms about associating with outright extremism, either.

— david french, National Review, "Media, Tell the Truth: The Women’s March and Black Lives Matter Embrace Terrorists," 19 July 2017
The abrupt move signaled once again that Trump has no qualms about changing his mind when a policy position brings the White House critical coverage, and in the process undermining some of his top staff and Cabinet members.

— dan merica, CNN, "The life and death of Trump's 'cyber security unit' plan with Putin," 10 July 2017
Still, despite qualms over the minaret, the militants used the mosque as a key center during their rule.

— lee keath, The Seattle Times, "A Mosul mosque in rubble, victim of militants’ destruction," 29 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'qualm.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

Etymologists aren't sure where qualm originated, but they do know it entered English around 1530. Originally, it referred to a sudden sick feeling. Robert Louis Stevenson made use of this older sense in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: A qualm came over me, a horrid nausea and the most deadly shuddering. Soon after qualm entered the language, it came to designate not only sudden attacks of illness, but also sudden attacks of emotion or principle. In The Sketch Book, for example, Washington Irving wrote, Immediately after one of these fits of extravagance, he will be taken with violent qualms of economy.... Eventually, qualm took on the specific (and now most common) meaning of doubt or uneasiness, particularly in not following one's conscience or better judgment.

Origin and Etymology of qualm

origin unknown

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1530

See Words from the same year

qualm Synonyms

Synonyms

compunction, misgiving, scruple

Near Antonyms

aplomb, assurance, certainty, certitude, confidence, conviction, self-assurance, self-confidence, sureness

Synonym Discussion of qualm

qualm, scruple, compunction, demur mean a misgiving about what one is doing or going to do. qualm implies an uneasy fear that one is not following one's conscience or better judgment.

- no qualms about plagiarizing

scruple implies doubt of the rightness of an act on grounds of principle.

- no scruples against buying stolen goods

compunction implies a spontaneous feeling of responsibility or compassion for a potential victim.

- had compunctions about lying

demur implies hesitation caused by objection to an outside suggestion or influence.

- accepted her decision without demur

QUALM Defined for English Language Learners

qualm

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noun

Definition of qualm for English Language Learners

: a feeling of doubt or uncertainty about whether you are doing the right thing

QUALM Defined for Kids

qualm

play

noun \ ˈkwäm , ˈkwälm \

Definition of qualm for Students

:a feeling of doubt or uncertainty especially in matters of right and wrong She had no qualms about lying.

Learn More about qualm

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for qualm Spanish Central: Translation of qualm Nglish: Translation of qualm for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of qualm for Arabic speakers

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qualm was our Word of the Day on 01/16/2016. Hear the podcast!

Examples of qualm in a Sentence

Recent Examples of qualm from the Web

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Origin and Etymology of qualm

qualm Synonyms

Synonyms

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Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of qualm

QUALM Defined for English Language Learners

qualm

Definition of qualm for English Language Learners

QUALM Defined for Kids

qualm

Definition of qualm for Students

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