compunction

[kuhm-puhngk-shuhn]

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.

compunction

/ kəmˈpʌŋkʃən /

noun

1. a feeling of remorse, guilt, or regret

Other Word Forms

• compunctionless adjective
• compunctiously adverb
• compunctious adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of compunction¹

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; point ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of compunction¹

C14: from Church Latin compunctiō, from Latin compungere to sting, from com- (intensive) + pungere to puncture; see _point

Example Sentences

They have zero compunctions about murdering anyone in their way, including a pregnant woman.

From Salon

They are part of nature, and therefore something that can be mined without compunction.

From Salon

He has no compunction about violating treaty commitments or ripping up trade agreements, even deals he negotiated himself.

From Los Angeles Times

She’s unlike any other “Star Trek” protagonist with her pitch-dark past and lack of compunction about killing.

From Los Angeles Times

We can be certain that when he takes the reins of government, he will have no compunction about destroying every last shred of information about them.

From Los Angeles Times