conscience

[kon-shuhns]

noun

1. the inner sense of what is right or wrong in one's conduct or motives, impelling one toward right action.

   to follow the dictates of conscience.

2. the complex of ethical and moral principles that controls or inhibits the actions or thoughts of an individual.

3. an inhibiting sense of what is prudent.

   I'd eat another piece of pie but my conscience would bother me.

4. conscientiousness.

5. Obsolete.,  consciousness; self-knowledge.

6. Obsolete.,  strict and reverential observance.

conscience

/ ˈkɒnʃəns /

noun

1. 1. the sense of right and wrong that governs a person's thoughts and actions

   2. regulation of one's actions in conformity to this sense

   3. a supposed universal faculty of moral insight

2. conscientiousness; diligence

3. a feeling of guilt or anxiety

   he has a conscience about his unkind action

4. obsolete,  consciousness

5. 1. with regard to truth and justice

   2. certainly

6. causing feelings of guilt or remorse

Other Word Forms

• conscienceless adjective
• consciencelessly adverb
• consciencelessness noun
• subconscience noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of conscience¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin conscientia “knowledge, awareness, conscience”; equivalent to con- + science

Word History and Origins

Origin of conscience¹

C13: from Old French, from Latin conscientia knowledge, consciousness, from conscīre to know; see _conscious

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. have something on one's conscience, to feel guilty about something, as an act that one considers wrong.

   She behaves as if she had something on her conscience.

2. in all conscience, Also in conscience.

   1. in all reason and fairness.

   2. certainly; assuredly.

see have a clear conscience; in conscience.

Example Sentences

I cannot in good conscience make any excuses for the harboring of jihadis.

Read more on Salon

“In good conscience, I cannot stand back and let a new administration resume executions that I halted,” Biden said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

At some point, maybe my conscience will get the better of me, and I’ll switch over to their diet.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Her generation was inculcated to cozy up to men in power and treat younger women like competition or pets; she keeps her conscience as compartmentalized as a box of fishing tackle.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"I could not in good conscience approve an export that would perpetuate the treatment these belugas have endured," she said.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• shame