compunction

noun

com·punc·tion kəm-ˈpəŋ(k)-shən

Synonyms of compunction next

: anxiety arising from awareness of guilt

compunctions of conscience

: distress of mind over an anticipated action or result

… showed no compunction in planning devilish engines of … destruction.—

Havelock Ellis

: a twinge of misgiving : scruple

cheated without compunction

… he had no compunction about brushing aside legal technicalities.—

Robert Penn Warren

compunctious

kəm-ˈpəŋ(k)-shəs

adjective

Did you know?

An old proverb says "a guilty conscience needs no accuser," and it's true that the sting of a guilty conscience—or a conscience that is provoked by the contemplation of doing something wrong—can prick very hard indeed. The sudden guilty "prickings" of compunction are reflected in the word's etymological history. Compunction comes (via Anglo-French compunction and Middle English compunccioun) from Latin compungere, which means "to prick hard" or "to sting." Compungere, in turn, derives from pungere, meaning "to prick," which is the ancestor of some other prickly words in English, such as puncture and even point.

Choose the Right Synonym for compunction

penitence, repentance, contrition, compunction, remorse mean regret for sin or wrongdoing.

penitence implies sad and humble realization of and regret for one's misdeeds.

absolution is dependent upon sincere penitence

repentance adds the implication of a resolve to change.

repentance accompanied by a complete change of character

contrition stresses the sorrowful regret that constitutes true penitence.

tearful expressions of contrition

compunction implies a painful sting of conscience especially for contemplated wrongdoing.

had no compunctions about taking back what is mine

remorse suggests prolonged and insistent self-reproach and mental anguish for past wrongs and especially for those whose consequences cannot be remedied.

thieves untroubled by feelings of remorse

qualm, scruple, compunction, demur 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

scruple implies doubt of the rightness of an act on grounds of principle.

no scruples against buying stolen goods

compunction implies a spontaneous feeling of responsibility or compassion for a potential victim.

had compunctions about lying

demur implies hesitation caused by objection to an outside suggestion or influence.

accepted her decision without demur

Examples of compunction in a Sentence

a brutal murderer who killed without compunction He feels no compunction about his crimes. He has no compunctions about his crimes.

Recent Examples on the Web Ashlee is gleefully devoid of morals, compunctions, or misgivings. —

Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2024 In fact, by doing so, U.S. investors are furthering the goals of an authoritarian government that has shown no compunction manipulating foreign investors and leveraging market access to advance its national interests. —

Oren Cass, Foreign Affairs, 25 July 2023 Schwartz has no such ties and no such compunctions. —

Longreads, 15 Mar. 2024 And without that path for growth, Gen Z has no compunctions about moving on to a better opportunity. —

Lisa Conn, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for compunction

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'compunction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English compunccioun, from Anglo-French compunction, from Late Latin compunction-, compunctio, from Latin compungere to prick hard, sting, from com- + pungere to prick — more at pungent

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of compunction was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Compunction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compunction. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.

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Kids Definition

compunction

noun

com·punc·tion kəm-ˈpəŋ(k)-shən

: sharp uneasiness caused by a sense of guilt : remorse

: a passing feeling of regret for some slight wrong

Last Updated: 25 Jun 2024 - Updated example sentences

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compunction

noun

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Synonyms

Examples of compunction in a Sentence

Word History

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Dictionary Entries Near compunction

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Kids Definition