qualms

plural noun

I have no qualms about overseas travel

Syn:

misgivings, doubts, reservations, second thoughts, worries, concerns, anxiety; hesitation, hesitance, hesitancy, demur, reluctance, disinclination, apprehension, trepidation, unease; scruples, remorse, compunction

••

qualms, compunction, demur, misgiving, scruple

To have qualms is to have an uneasy feeling that you have acted or are about to act against your better judgment (she had qualms about leaving a nine-year-old in charge of an infant). Misgivings are even stronger, implying a disturbed state of mind because you're no longer confident that what you're doing is right (his misgivings about letting his 80-year-old mother drive herself home turned out to be justified). Compunction implies a momentary pang of conscience because what you are doing or are about to do is unfair, improper, or wrong (they showed no compunction in carrying out their devious plans). Scruples suggest a more highly-developed conscience or sense of honor; it implies that you have principles, and that you would be deeply disturbed if you thought you were betraying them (her scruples would not allow her to participate in what she considered antifeminist activities). Demur connotes hesitation to the point of delay, but the delay is usually caused by objections or indecision rather than a sense of conscience (they accepted his decision without demur).