compunction

American  

[kuhm-puhngk-shuhn] / kəmˈpʌŋk ʃən /

noun

1. a feeling of uneasiness or anxiety of the conscience caused by regret for doing wrong or causing pain; contrition; remorse.

2. any uneasiness or hesitation about the rightness of an action.

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compunction British  

/ kəmˈpʌŋkʃən /

noun

1. a feeling of remorse, guilt, or regret

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• compunctiously
  adverb
• compunctious
  adjective
• compunctionless
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of compunction

1350–1400; Middle English compunccion (< Anglo-French ) < Late Latin compūnctiōn- (stem of compūnctiō ), equivalent to Latin compūnct ( us ), past participle of compungere to prick severely ( com- com- + pungere to prick; cf. point) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

When you feel compunction you feel very, very sorry, usually for something you did to hurt someone or mess something up. When you feel no compunction, you're not at all sorry. The noun compunction comes from the Latin verb compungere, meaning “prick sharply.” When you feel compunction, you feel a sharp prick of your conscience. The word compunction is often used in the negative in phrases like “without compunction” or "no compunction." You might say that the burglar acted without compunction when he stole your baseball card collection.

Example Sentences

Compunction openeth the way for many good things, which dissoluteness is wont quickly to lose.

From The Imitation of Christ by Benham, William

Compunction and pity bade Sutch repeat them, his love of Harry Feversham enjoined him to hold his tongue.

From The Four Feathers by Mason, A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley)

Compunction was one: you could touch him on the heart and bring him weeping to his knees; affection was another: if he loved the petitioner he yielded handsomely.

From The Life and Death of Richard Yea-and-Nay by Hewlett, Maurice Henry

Compunction is a momentary sting of conscience, in view either of a past or of a contemplated act.

From English Synonyms and Antonyms With Notes on the Correct Use of Prepositions by Fernald, James Champlin

Compunction, instead of softening him, made him angry with himself.

From The Price of Love by Bennett, Arnold