conscience

American  

[kon-shuhns] / ˈkɒn ʃəns /

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.

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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.

conscience British  

/ 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

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conscience More Idioms  

1. see have a clear conscience; in conscience.

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of conscience

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

Example Sentences

I am not sure endowing Sonny with a social conscience, presumably intended to point up the material’s contemporary relevance, is an improvement.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

"It's really not pleasant, you know? You're going to question yourself. Your morality, even, and even your conscience," she told the BBC.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

Resisting its pull requires that people of conscience and others who support real democracy engage in acts of moral witnessing and radical empathy.

From Salon • Mar. 3, 2026

Thursday, Amodei doubled down on his objections, saying that while the company continues to negotiate and wants to work with the Pentagon, “we cannot in good conscience accede to their request.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026

Faced with two evils—stealing from a living boy, or wishing him dead to take his food guilt-free—I realized I could more easily have the sin of stealing on my conscience.

From "Prisoner B-3087" by Alan Gratz

Related Words

• shame