compunctious

adjective

Definition of compunctiousnext
as in ashamed
feeling sorrow for a wrong that one has done he appeared not the least bit compunctious about ditching his friends at the restaurant and leaving them to pay the bill

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for compunctious
  1. ashamed
  2. sorry
  3. remorseful
  4. apologetic
  5. regretful
Adjective
  • This is classic Drake, turning the darker inner thoughts most people would be ashamed to admit into something almost beautiful.
    — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 3 Aug. 2026
  • According to the Mental Health Foundation, almost one third of teenagers feel ashamed of some aspect of their body.
    — Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 19 July 2026
Definition of ashamed
Adjective
  • There has also always been a place for vice in fragrance (sorry to point out that classic diet cola and cigarettes, while very Gabbriette right now, are not actually good for you).
    — Loren Savini, Allure, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Evidence of silence quietly (sorry) breaking apart one’s bearings bleeds through both the main plot thread and satellite storylines, which include recurring visits to a client of Ninh’s and that man’s own conflicts with his distant wife.
    — Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of sorry
Adjective
  • To Tommy, Anna and Molly are twittering encumbrances, idiotic in their insistence on good works and the good of man, their endless remorseful hedgings about the Communist Party.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Outside the courtroom, attorney Eric Clayman told reporters that Watson is remorseful and didn’t want to hurt Ibrahim.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
Definition of remorseful
Adjective
  • An apologetic statement this week and commitment to not letting history repeat itself has, though, done little to placate the intensifying scrutiny of his leadership.
    — Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The cleaning lady was very apologetic and offered to pay for the sink itself.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of apologetic
Adjective
  • Responses varied by age and gender, with the most regretful group being Gen Z women.
    — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Regina genuinely likes Louis, is regretful about getting loud with him, and after learning about Claudia feels sorry for him.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of regretful
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.

Browse Nearby Words

compunctions
compunctious
compurgation
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Cite this Entry

“Compunctious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compunctious. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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