What does "compunction" mean?
A pricking of conscience or a feeling of regret, especially one which is slight or fleeting.
Compunction
/kəmˈpʌŋk.ʃən/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A pricking of conscience or a feeling of regret, especially one which is slight or fleeting.
- Grammar: compunction is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: remorse, attrition, bashfulness, beef.
- Useful contrasts: assurance, callousness, certainty.
- Usage evidence: That she might internally feel compunction, and reconcile herself with Heaven, whom she had offended, we will not, and we dare not, deny; but to those around her she did not evince the slightest symptom either of repentance or remorse. In all external appearance she bore the same bold, haughty, unbending character which she had displayed before these unhappy events.
How to use "compunction"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "compunction" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "compunction" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
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Check whether "compunction" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
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Final meaning check
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 A pricking of conscience or a feeling of regret, especially one which is slight or fleeting. countable, uncountable
"Besides, to do De Joinville justice, he felt, too, a degree of kindly compunction for the former harsh judgment entertained of one who so little deserved it; and—for there is no such thing in the human mind as an unmixed sensation—he was struck both with the spirit with which she resented, and the proud humility with which she forgave the affront."
- 2 a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed) wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"That she might internally feel compunction, and reconcile herself with Heaven, whom she had offended, we will not, and we dare not, deny; but to those around her she did not evince the slightest symptom either of repentance or remorse. In all external appearance she bore the same bold, haughty, unbending character which she had displayed before these unhappy events."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "compunction"?
Common synonyms include: remorse, attrition, bashfulness, beef, better self, bitch.
How do you use "compunction" in a sentence?
That she might internally feel compunction, and reconcile herself with Heaven, whom she had offended, we will not, and we dare not, deny; but to those around her she did not evince the slightest symptom either of repentance or remorse. In all external appearance she bore the same bold, haughty, unbending character which she had displayed before these unhappy events.
How do you pronounce "compunction"?
Pronounced /kəmˈpʌŋk.ʃən/.
Etymology
From Middle English compunccion, borrowed from Old French compunction, from Late Latin compunctionem (“a pricking”), from Latin compunctus, the past participle of compungere (“to severely prick”), from com- + pungere (“to prick”).