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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Recent Examples of compunctions
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
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
-
If anyone still had any doubts about her abilities, this—a supporting part that felt seismic—was their answer.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Anyone who has doubts about a call claiming to be Geneva police should call Geneva police themselves at 630-232-4736.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
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But if Venezuela, after inevitable turmoil in the near term, thrives, perhaps even helping to spread regional prosperity and security, those qualms won’t matter.—
Andreas Kluth,
Boston Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
-
As for the stigma that may come with having used a weight-loss drug, Gaffigan has no qualms about it.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The investigation into the killing of a US citizen by an ICE agent in Minneapolis this week is being complicated by clashes between federal and local officials, with the FBI taking control over the objections of Governor Tim Walz.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Following multiple delays, Keir Starmer is set to approve plans for the biggest Chinese embassy in Europe, after MI5 and MI6 declined to raise formal objections.—
Harriet Marsden,
TheWeek,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Mainstream Republicans and right-leaning unaffiliated voters will gravitate to candidates with experience and scruples.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
31 Dec. 2025
-
For Jay Gatsby, a man of immense wealth and few scruples, almost nothing is beyond his voracious appetite for excess.—
David Lyman,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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With Lee’s help, Capote worked to tamp down misgivings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Despite some of her family's misgivings, Riley’s murder inspired a piece of immigration legislation.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Compunctions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compunctions. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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