compunction

/kəmˈpʌŋkʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /kəmˈpʌŋkʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /kəm-ˈpəŋ(k)-shən/ (ame, mw)

compunction — noun

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

1.名詞C2
釋義

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

例句

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

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • indifference

    lack of moral concern about the effect of an action

  • ruthlessness

    willingness to act harshly without pity or guilt

文法句型

feel compunction

have no compunction about + -ing

without compunction

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.