qualm
gb/kwˈɑm/ us/kwˈɑm/
C1
English
aggály, fenntartás, lelkiismeret-furdalás, rosszullét, hányinger, szédülés
NOUN
C1
1
Usage pattern:
have qualms (about [something]/about [doing something])
She had qualms about accepting the gift because it felt inappropriate.
Aggályai voltak az ajándék elfogadásával kapcsolatban, mert nem érezte helyénvalónak.
I have no qualms about telling him the truth.
Nincsenek aggályaim azzal kapcsolatban, hogy megmondjam neki az igazat.
There were lingering qualms over whether the decision was fair.
Learner examples
I had qualms about cheating on the test.
Aggályaim voltak a dolgozaton való csalással kapcsolatban.
He felt qualms after lying.
Lelkiismeret-furdalást érzett, miután hazudott.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse qualm with calm; qualm is about worry or guilt.
Meaning
an uneasy doubt or guilt
Collocations
have qualms
|serious qualms
|moral qualms
|nagging qualms
|qualms of conscience
|feel qualms
|express qualms
|raise qualms
|no qualms
|without qualms
Synonyms
misgiving (Very close; often suggests doubt about consequences.)
|
scruple (More formal; emphasizes moral conscience.)
|
unease (Broader; not always about right and wrong.)
|
doubt (More general and less emotional.)
Antonyms
certainty (No doubt about what is right or best.)
|
confidence (A steady belief you are doing the right thing.)
Themes
emotions
|ethics
|decision_making
Definition
a bad feeling that something may be wrong
An uneasy feeling of doubt, worry, or guilt about whether something is right or a good idea.
NOUN
C2
2
Usage pattern:
a qualm of [nausea/sickness/fear]
He felt a qualm of nausea when the boat hit the first big wave.
Hányinger fogta el, amikor a hajó belefutott az első nagy hullámba.
A qualm of dizziness made her sit down for a moment.
Egy hirtelen szédülés miatt egy pillanatra leült.
The smell brought on a sudden qualm, and he stepped outside for air.
Learner examples
I felt a qualm of nausea.
Hirtelen hányingerem lett.
She had a qualm of dizziness.
Hirtelen szédülés fogta el.
Common mistake:
In this sense, qualm is usually used with 'of' (e.g., 'a qualm of nausea').
Meaning
a sudden wave of nausea
Collocations
a qualm of nausea
|a qualm of sickness
|a qualm of fear
|a sudden qualm
|feel a qualm
Synonyms
wave of nausea (More explicit about feeling sick.)
|
twinge (Often used for a brief physical or emotional pang.)
|
pang (Stronger, more sudden discomfort.)
Antonyms
wellness (Feeling healthy rather than sick.)
|
comfort (No physical discomfort or upset.)
Themes
health
|body
|emotions
Definition
a sudden small feeling of sickness
A brief feeling of sickness, nausea, or faintness.
Grammar
Dictionary form
qualm
IPA
GB/kwˈɑm/
US/kwˈɑm/
Syllables & stress
qualm (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (qualm)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: qualm
- Plural: qualms
Word family
Forms
qualms
noun
Related words
Expressions
have no qualms about
1/hˈæv nˈoʊ kwˈɑmz əbˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
feel no guilt or doubt
to feel completely OK doing something
Examples
- He has no qualms about taking credit for other people’s work.
- They had no qualms about raising prices without warning.
- I have no qualms about asking for help when I need it.
Learner examples
- She has no qualms about speaking in public.
have qualms about
1/hˈæv kwˈɑmz əbˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
feel doubts or guilt
to feel that something may be wrong
Examples
- Many people have qualms about using AI to grade essays.
- She had qualms about leaving her dog alone overnight.
- Do you have any qualms about taking money from them?
Learner examples
- I have qualms about lying.
- He has qualms about the plan.
qualms of conscience
1/kwˈɑmz əv kˈɑnʃəns/
fixed phrase
guilty feelings about wrongdoing
guilty feelings in your conscience
Examples
- He felt qualms of conscience after signing the false report.
- She has qualms of conscience about how she treated her friend.
- For a moment, qualms of conscience made him consider confessing.
without qualms
1/wɪðˈaʊt kwˈɑmz/
fixed phrase
doing something with no guilt
without feeling bad or worried
Examples
- She accepted the promotion without qualms.
- He lied without qualms to protect himself.
- The company closed the site without qualms, despite the local impact.
Learner examples
- He took the money without qualms.