compunction

com·punc·tion

noun \kəm-ˈpəŋ(k)-shən\

Definition of COMPUNCTION

1

a : anxiety arising from awareness of guilt <compunctions of conscience> b : distress of mind over an anticipated action or result <showed no compunction in planning devilish engines of … destruction — Havelock Ellis>

2

: a twinge of misgiving : scruple <cheated without compunction>

— com·punc·tious \-shəs\ adjective

Examples of COMPUNCTION

1. a brutal murderer who killed without compunction
2. He feels no compunction about his crimes.
3. He has no compunctions about his crimes.

Origin of COMPUNCTION

Middle English compunccioun, from Anglo-French compunction, from Late Latin compunction-, compunctio, from Latin compungere to prick hard, sting, from com- + pungere to prick — more at pungent

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to COMPUNCTION

Synonyms: qualm, misgiving, scruple

Related Words: conscience; distrust, doubt, dubiety, incertitude, misdoubt, mistrust, reservation, skepticism, suspicion, uncertainness, uncertainty; qualmishness, unease, uneasiness; reluctance, unwillingness; demur, fuss, objection, protest, question, remonstrance; aversion, disinclination, indisposition, reluctance, unwillingness; guilt, regret, remorse, self-reproach, shame; contrition, penitence, repentance

Near Antonyms: aplomb, assurance, certainty, certitude, confidence, conviction, self-assurance, self-confidence, sureness

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See Synonym Discussion at penitence, qualm

Rhymes with COMPUNCTION

malfunction