qualm
noun
\ ˈkwäm
also ˈkwȯm or ˈkwälm
\
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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Other Words from qualm
qualmy
\ ˈkwä-mē also ˈkwȯ- or ˈkwäl-
\
adjective
\
adjective
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 on the Web
Trump had no such qualms in recalibrating Obama’s Middle East policy and restoring the special relationship between Israel and the United States, and by extension America and the Arabs — at the expense of both Iran and Turkey. — Victor Davis Hanson, National Review, "Israel’s Good and Bad New Realities," 3 Sep. 2019 Still, lawmakers had no qualms about publicly calling Trump a demagogue and a fool. — BostonGlobe.com, "President Trump will get red carpet treatment in UK — and big protests," 11 July 2018 Despite his qualms, the Trump campaign paid Amazon about $17,500 in six months. — Camille Caldera, USA TODAY, "Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders slam Big Tech, but their 2020 campaigns use them frequently," 25 Aug. 2019 His qualms about the ultimate punishment aren't just political. — Jennifer Emily, Dallas News, "Like with Dallas' serial murder suspect, DAs seek death penalty when crimes are 'heinous enough'," 26 July 2019 Hopkins declined to admit the mobster, but Union Memorial Hospital had no such qualms. — John Kelly, Washington Post, "Branch manager: A visit with the tree whisperer of Brookside Gardens," 22 July 2019 But on Monday, US Representative Seth Moulton, the Salem Democrat and long shot for his party’s 2020 nomination, had no qualms about slamming laws that have uniquely defined New Hampshire. — James Pindell, BostonGlobe.com, "Seth Moulton wants New Hampshire’s vote — and for the state to change its ways," 12 Aug. 2019 Seeking to build a road from Manaus to the Venezuelan border in the state of Roraima, the regime had no qualms about cutting directly through territory belonging by the Waimiri-Atroari people. — Andre Pagliarini, The New Republic, "What Indigenous Rights Have to Do With Fighting Climate Change," 7 Aug. 2019 Speaking of the 'Gram, Blake has no qualms about getting in on the #SponCon game. — Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "Who Is Blake Horstmann, the Contestant at the Center of All the Drama on 'Bachelor in Paradise'?," 4 Aug. 2019These 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.
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More Definitions for qualm
qualm
noun
English Language Learners Definition of qualm
: a feeling of doubt or uncertainty about whether you are doing the right thing
See the full definition for qualm in the English Language Learners Dictionary
qualm
noun
\ ˈkwäm
, ˈkwälm\
, ˈkwälm\
Kids Definition of qualm
: a feeling of doubt or uncertainty especially in matters of right and wrong
She had no qualms about lying.
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