compunctious

[ kuhm-puhngk-shuhs ]

/ kəmˈpʌŋk ʃəs /

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See synonyms for compunctious on Thesaurus.com

adjective

causing or feeling compunction; regretful.

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of compunctious

First recorded in 1595–1605; compunct(ion) + -ious

OTHER WORDS FROM compunctious

com·punc·tious·ly, adverb

Words nearby compunctious

compulsion, compulsive, compulsory, compulsory purchase, compunction, compunctious, compurgation, compurgator, computation, computational complexity, computational fluid dynamics

How to use compunctious in a sentence

Occasionally, I tried to take the long-hoarded sting out of these compunctious smarts by attending divine service in the open air.
Our Old Home, Vol. 2|Nathaniel Hawthorne
But, amidst my present 'compunctious visitings,' I thought of atoning for my former rebellions by one heroic act of submission.
Discipline|Mary Brunton
She must have gone indoors, they concluded, and Esther began to feel very compunctious for having left her alone so long.
The Carroll Girls|Mabel Quiller-Couch
First, he pointed one ear and turned his head with sly, compunctious timidity, as if ashamed to enjoy his own triumph.
The Gold Brick|Ann S. Stephens

When my lady was gone, Bessie grieved and vexed herself with compunctious thoughts.
The Vicissitudes of Bessie Fairfax|Harriet Parr