COMPUNCTIONS Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

compunctions

noun

plural of compunction

as in doubts

an uneasy feeling about the rightness of what one is doing or going to do throughout her school years she cheated without compunction

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of compunctions Johnson clearly felt no such compunctions. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for compunctions

Noun

But, yes, quality wins also would go a long way toward further erasing doubts.

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026
Not long after the twins were born, Willis had momentary doubts about the procedure.

— Megan Molteni, STAT, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of doubts

Noun

Two of the three objections against Macías and Sigcho-Lopez were filed by people who had circulated primary petitions for Patty García.

— Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
The City Council voted it down, and the mayor's opponents passed an alternate budget plan over his objections.

— Chris Tye, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of objections

Noun

Spreadsheets existed in 2006, but here they are kept, like everyone’s shame and scruples, firmly out of sight.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2026
Hilton rejects the argument floated by some of his former colleagues that his scruples became a casualty of his ambition.

— Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of scruples

Noun

Some of these misgivings are serious enough to warrant getting up from the table — Robby finds Fraser in the pantry to ask him to adjust the temperature of the wine.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2026
Default insurance on the company also widened, signaling some misgivings on the company’s plans.

— Ellen DiMauro, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of misgivings

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compunction

compunctions

compunctious

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Style

“Compunctions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compunctions. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of compunctions

noun

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