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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 the public show of confidence hasn’t quieted longstanding doubts about Collins’ chances of ousting Ossoff.

— Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 20 July 2026
Markets sink on global selloff in chip stocks A global selloff in chip stocks dragged markets down Thursday, as record earnings from TSMC, the world’s largest chipmaker, failed to quell doubts over the sustainability of AI spending.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of doubts

Noun

However, Pirlo’s candidacy came under scrutiny because of his role as a global ambassador for Russian bookmaker Fonbet, prompting objections from Italian Football Federation (FIGC) officials and from Italian lawmakers.

— Reuters, NBC news, 27 July 2026
Walk into the conversation not only with your points down cold, but also with their constraints and objections mapped out.

— Cynthia Pong, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

Definition of objections

Noun

Still, there are some smart, well-meaning voices of caution who warn Democrats against forgetting their scruples.

— Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026
The people of every commune knew and feared those like him — stern figures in black whose ideological devotion appeared to outweigh any moral scruples.

— Matthew Campbell, Bloomberg, 22 May 2026

Definition of scruples

Noun

Several Republican senators expressed misgivings about accepting the plane, pointing to the potential for security and legal risks.

— Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 10 July 2026
But many women who have become first lady of California and the nation have expressed misgivings about taking on such a role.

— Jenny Jarvie Follow, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Definition of misgivings

Browse Nearby Words

compunction

compunctions

compunctious

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Compunctions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compunctions. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of compunctions

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on compunctions

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

kludge

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes