compunction

IPA/kəmˈpʌŋkʃn/
KK[kəmpˈʌŋkʃən]IPA/kəmˈpʌŋkʃn/

compunction — noun

1. a small but clear feeling of guilt or moral doubt before you do something wrong,

1.nounC2
Definition

a small but clear feeling of guilt or moral doubt before you do something wrong, or after you realize your action was wrong

Example

Ada felt compunction after reading the harsh email she had sent.

feel compunction after doing something wrong

The landlord showed no compunction about raising the rent before winter.

show no compunction about + -ing

Common collocations
  • feel compunction
  • have no compunction
  • have no compunction about
  • without compunction
  • sudden compunction
Synonyms
  • guilt

    more common and direct; less formal than 'compunction'

  • remorse

    stronger and deeper; usually follows a more serious wrong action

  • qualm

    often focuses on uneasy doubt before acting, not guilt afterwards

  • scruple

    formal; stresses moral principle more than emotion

Antonyms
  • indifference

    lack of moral concern about the effect of an action

  • ruthlessness

    willingness to act harshly without pity or guilt

Grammar Patterns

feel compunction

have no compunction about + -ing

without compunction

Usage Note

Most often seen in negative or contrastive patterns such as 'without compunction' and 'have no compunction about + -ing'. In positive statements, it usually points to a brief stab of conscience rather than a long period of regret.

Common Mistakes

He had no compunction to fire the staff.
He had no compunction about firing the staff.
After 'compunction', English usually uses 'about + -ing' for the action that causes the moral hesitation.
She felt compunctions after lying to her mother.
She felt compunction after lying to her mother.
In modern English, this noun is usually uncountable in this meaning.

Word family

  • compunctious
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe an uncomfortable moral feeling, but they differ in timing and strength. 'Compunction' is formal and often suggests a brief inward check before or after a questionable act, especially in phrases like 'without compunction' or 'have no compunction about it'. 'Guilt' is the broad everyday word for knowing you have done something wrong. 'Remorse' is much stronger and deeper, often linked to serious harm and lasting emotional pain. 'Qualm' usually points to hesitation before you act, and the feeling can be moral, practical, or even physical. A manager may feel compunction before cutting staff, guilt after lying, remorse after betraying a friend, and qualms about signing a risky contract.

compunction ↗guilt ↗remorsequalm ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • have no compunction about
  • without compunction

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinMedieval LatinMiddle EnglishModern English

Compunction comes from a Latin verb meaning 'to prick sharply'. The original image is of conscience giving someone an inward sting. In medieval religious writing, the word often referred to sorrow for sin. Modern English keeps that idea of a moral prick, but now the word usually describes a smaller feeling of guilt or hesitation before or after a wrong action.