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V2 Vocabulary Building Dictionary


qualm

noun

Definition: a feeling of doubt or uneasiness about something

Synonyms: anxiety, uneasiness, doubt, reservation, uncertainty, regret, misgiving

Antonyms: indifference, confidence, certainty

Tips: Qualm was derived from the Old English cwealm, which means "death, plague, disaster." Qualm's modern meaning of "uneasiness" most likely came from the bad, uneasy feeling of impending disaster. To use the word qualm correctly, don't simply use it instead of the word "problem" (e.g. I don't have any problems with this); use qualm to mean uneasiness, uncertainty, or reservation: "I have no qualms with skydiving; I'm ready!" The word qualm is usually proceeded by "no" and is usually used in the plural, as in, "I have no qualms."

Usage Examples:

She had no qualms about selling the family house. (reservations)

He happily ate the last of the pie without any qualms or feelings of guilt. (regrets, misgivings)

Without any qualms, she let her 7-year-old daughter get her ears pierced. (misgivings, reservations)

My qualms about returning to college to complete my degree after so many years disappeared once I attended my first class. (anxieties, reservations)


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