August 30, 2011
- qualm (noun)
- \KWAHM\
- What does it mean?
- 1 : a sudden attack of illness, faintness, or nausea2 : a sudden feeling of doubt, fear, or uneasiness especially in not following one's conscience or better judgment
- How do you use it?
- Though Mrs. Carter trusted her son to be careful, she had some qualms about letting him ride his bike to his friend's house across town.
- Are you a word wiz?
We hope you don't have any qualms about answering today's quiz. Read the definition again, and tell us which of the choices below you think lists synonyms for "qualm."
"Scruple," "compunction," and "qualm" all name an uneasy feeling about what you are doing. "Scruple" suggests doubt about an act based on your belief in right and wrong. ("Sally had no scruples about stealing candy.") "Compunction" names a feeling you might have when you think you are doing wrong to someone. ("Josh felt compunction over breaking Molly's ruler.") "Qualm" suggests a fear that you are not doing what your conscience or better judgment tells you to do. ("Ling had qualms about her decision to skip class.")
