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
  • The wicker man’s superiority makes all the villagers feel ashamed.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Ben Affleck clearly isn’t ashamed to be a third wheel with best friend Matt Damon and his wife.
    — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of ashamed
Adjective
  • But the case took a twist when the store received a package containing the watch -- and a handwritten note saying sorry, the Asahi Shimbun newspaper and other media reported on Monday, citing unnamed investigative sources.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Feeling sorry for this perfectly happy couple, however, was not.
    — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of sorry
Adjective
  • The once-promising prodigy will grow dissolute, remorseful and resentful of his wife, who outlives him.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The 6-foot-3, 246-pound junior was remorseful after the game.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of remorseful
Adjective
  • Orson delivered an apologetic news conference the next day and went on to even greater fame and success.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Without becoming defensive or overly apologetic, respectfully reinforce that your decision has already been made.
    — Jasmine Johnson, CNBC, 29 Sep. 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 5 Nov. 2026.

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