Synonyms of compunction

compunction

noun

kəm-ˈpəŋ(k)-shən 

as in doubt

an uneasy feeling about the rightness of what one is doing or going to do

throughout her school years she cheated without compunction

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• conviction
• certainty
• confidence
• assurance
• certitude
• sureness
• aplomb
• self-confidence
• self-assurance

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun compunction differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of compunction are demur, qualm, and scruple. While all these words mean "a misgiving about what one is doing or going to do," compunction implies a spontaneous feeling of responsibility or compassion for a potential victim.

had compunctions about lying

When is demur a more appropriate choice than compunction?

In some situations, the words demur and compunction are roughly equivalent. However, demur implies hesitation caused by objection to an outside suggestion or influence.

accepted her decision without demur

When could qualm be used to replace compunction?

Although the words qualm and compunction have much in common, qualm implies an uneasy fear that one is not following one's conscience or better judgment.

no qualms about plagiarizing

In what contexts can scruple take the place of compunction?

While in some cases nearly identical to compunction, scruple implies doubt of the rightness of an act on grounds of principle.

no scruples against buying stolen goods

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of compunction

But Wolff has never shown any compunction about biting the hand that feeds him, another unpleasant journalistic qualification. —Ben Smith, semafor.com, 17 Nov. 2025

Russia and Ukraine show no compunctions about killing the civilians of their enemy. —Oded J K Faran, Oc Register, 21 Oct. 2025

The boundaries of the world are delineated neatly by your compunctions. —Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025

But other activists also give in when faced with enormous pressure from a state that has no compunction about arranging killings and targeting family members. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025

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