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qualma feeling of doubt, hesitation, or uneasiness about the rightness or propriety of a course of action

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a feeling of doubt, hesitation, or uneasiness about the rightness or propriety of a course of action

Pronunciation (IPA): /kwɑːm/

Example Sentences

  • The politician had no qualms about changing his position for votes.
  • I have serious qualms about eating this expired yogurt, but it's the only food left in my fridge.
  • She expressed qualms about the company's environmental policies.

qualm

NOUN

[/kwɑːm/]

a feeling of doubt, hesitation, or uneasiness about the rightness or propriety of a course of action

He felt a sudden qualm before signing the shady contract.
💡 Concept

He felt a sudden qualm before signing the shady contract.

Press your palm to your head, then breathe and stay calm despite the qualm
🎵 Rhyme

Press your palm to your head, then breathe and stay calm despite the qualm

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/kwɑːm/
🇬🇧 UK/kwɑːm/

🌳Etymology

Rootqualm

Origin

The origin of 'qualm' is uncertain, but it may derive from Old English or Middle Low German, possibly related to 'cwealm' meaning death or pain. It first appeared in English in the 16th century with the sense of a feeling of sickness or uneasiness.

Breakdown

The word does not have a clear morpheme breakdown as it is a monomorphemic word with no identifiable root, prefix, or suffix components that combine to form its meaning.

🎵Rhyme

palmcalmpsalmbalm
palm
calm
psalm
balm

🔗Collocations

have no qualms
moral qualms
without qualms
serious qualms
qualms about
overcome qualms

📝Examples

The politician had no qualms about changing his position for votes.

😄 Fun example

I have serious qualms about eating this expired yogurt, but it's the only food left in my fridge.

She expressed qualms about the company's environmental policies.

😄 Fun example

My cat has no qualms about knocking things off my desk at 3 AM.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

misgivingdoubthesitationscrupleuneasiness

Antonyms

confidencecertaintyassurance

Related

conscienceguiltremorsereservationconcern

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