COMPUNCTIOUS Synonyms: 32 Similar and Opposite Words

compunctious

adjective

Definition of compunctious

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

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for compunctious

Adjective

But 37 offensive points is nothing to be ashamed of in the NFL.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 14 Sep. 2026
Some classmates were ashamed that their immigrant parents spoke only Polish or Hungarian at home.

— Gloria Steinem, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of ashamed

Adjective

Olivier tortured himself over her condition, remorseful and exhausted.

— Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026
Several artists said Ludlow, though remorseful about the festival’s outcome, failed to communicate updates about the cancellation beyond last-minute form letters.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of remorseful

Adjective

After meeting at a society reception, Henry sets out to marry Henrietta, an endearingly clumsy, overly apologetic botanist with ambitions of discovering a new species of fern.

— Air Mail, Air Mail, 5 Sep. 2026
An apologetic Marks had to deliver the news to her royal friend that she was required to be with family for the last weeks of August, and would be unable to take the trip to Italy as planned.

— Allie Merriam, Vanity Fair, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of apologetic

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.

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compunctions

compunctious

compurgation

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“Compunctious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compunctious. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of compunctious

adjective

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