QUALM Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'qualm' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of qualm are compunction , demur , and scruple . While all these words 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

Q: When would 'compunction' be a good substitute for 'qualm'?

While the synonyms compunction and qualm are close in meaning, compunction implies a spontaneous feeling of responsibility or compassion for a potential victim. // had compunctions about lying

Q: When might 'demur' be a better fit than 'qualm'?

The meanings of demur and qualm largely overlap; however, demur implies hesitation caused by objection to an outside suggestion or influence. // accepted her decision without demur

Q: When is 'scruple' a more appropriate choice than 'qualm'?

The words scruple and qualm are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, scruple implies doubt of the rightness of an act on grounds of principle. // no scruples against buying stolen goods

qualm

noun

ˈkwäm

Definition of qualm next

as in doubt

an uneasy feeling about the rightness of what one is doing or going to do she has no qualms about downloading pirated music files from the Internet

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the noun qualm differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of qualm are compunction, demur, and scruple. While all these words 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

When would compunction be a good substitute for qualm?

While the synonyms compunction and qualm are close in meaning, compunction implies a spontaneous feeling of responsibility or compassion for a potential victim.

had compunctions about lying

When might demur be a better fit than qualm?

The meanings of demur and qualm largely overlap; however, demur implies hesitation caused by objection to an outside suggestion or influence.

accepted her decision without demur

When is scruple a more appropriate choice than qualm?

The words scruple and qualm are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, scruple implies doubt of the rightness of an act on grounds of principle.

no scruples against buying stolen goods

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of qualm Bob Dylan has no qualms about Timothée Chalamet‘s portrayal of him in James Mangold’s upcoming A Complete Unknown. —

Zoe G. Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Dec. 2024 But DeWitt did have one qualm with her hit show, how her character rode off into the sunset. —

Caroline Thayer, Fox News, 19 Sep. 2024 Her biggest qualm so far, beyond one small hiccup with a machine jamming, is the humidity. —

Madison Lammert, Journal Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2024 The person performing the love bombing might have mental health qualms. —

Lance Eliot, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for qualm

Recent Examples of Synonyms for qualm

Noun

The path forward was cast into doubt by Trump's statement, with speculation growing that Johnson would scrap the original version of the bill and bring up a narrower funding extension that includes disaster relief.

Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2024
On Tuesday, Reuters reported that eight Republican senators had expressed doubts about Trump's nomination of Gabbard to lead the nation's intelligence community.

Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024