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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Recent Examples of Synonyms for compunctious

Adjective

Father Ruiz, who was from Peru, by contrast always felt a little ashamed of not having studied in any concerted way.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026
Rather, marijuana is part of the private language keeping Molly and Frankie afloat, and instead of feeling ashamed, the soulmates have designed their lives around celebrating weed as a kind of romance.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of ashamed

Adjective

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
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

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

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 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of compunctious

adjective

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