qualms

Twinges of conscience

Qualms are uneasy feelings of doubt, hesitation, or moral discomfort about an action.

Someone who has no qualms about lying feels no guilt or reluctance.

The word usually appears in negative constructions—people mention their lack of qualms more than their presence: She had no qualms about asking for a raise.

A qualm can also be a sudden pang of nausea, though this sense is rare.

moral

conscience

Internal moral sense

scruplesMoral reservations about acting
ethicsStudy of right conduct
compunctionUneasiness from guilt

principles · guilt · remorse · contrition · shame · self-reproach · pangs · moral · culpability · penitence

doubt

misgivings

Feelings of doubt

skepticismDisposition toward doubt
reservationsDoubts or advance bookings
uncertaintyState of being unsure

questioning · suspicion · distrust · dubiousness · incredulity · second-guessing · wariness · cynicism · disbelief · scrutiny

unease

apprehension

Nervous anticipation of trouble

anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
discomfortMild physical or mental distress
trepidationFearful uncertainty

nervousness · worry · foreboding · disquietude · perturbation · uneasiness · edginess · jitters · consternation · agitation

hesitation

reluctance

Disinclination to act

waveringShowing unsteady resolve
indecisionFailure to decide
vacillationInability to choose

pause · dithering · faltering · hesitancy · reticence · unwillingness · demurral

qualms

conscience

misgivings

apprehension

reluctance

qualms

Opposites

Phrases

Categories

Family