MEANING
A moment of uneasy doubt about whether an action is safe, right, or advisable.
Use it for
a risky decision; conscience meeting self-protectionInsert a brief objection from within the character.
Words that belong together
- have qualms about
- without a qualm
- a sudden qualm
On the page
She had qualms about crossing the lake after dark.
A sudden qualm stopped him from signing the release.
Despite his qualms about the faulty brakes, he accepted the ride.
Nearby words
Related words
Word forms
- Base
- qualm
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Usage notes
Primary category: fear. Not all qualms are fear: moral hesitation is common. Use a stated risk when the sense is apprehensive. Count noun. Count plural: qualms.
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