compunction
kuhm-PUNGK-shuhn
/kəmˈpʌŋkʃən/
A feeling of guilt or moral scruple that prevents or follows the doing of something bad.
Often used in negative constructions ('without compunction') to highlight a ruthless lack of hesitation.
The story behind the word. Compunction derives from Late Latin 'compunctio', rooted in 'pungere', meaning 'to prick'. The term imagines conscience as a sharp needle piercing the heart whenever you cross a moral boundary.
Word relationships
- scruple: Scruple refers to a doubt or hesitation based on morality, while compunction refers to the sharp prick of guilt itself.
- callousness: Callousness implies an utter insensitivity to wronging others.
Commonly confused with
- compulsion: Compulsion is an irresistible urge to act, whereas compunction is a sting of conscience stopping or haunting an act.
Word family
- compunctious (adjective): feeling remorseful or scrupulous
Collocations
- no compunction
- feel compunction
- without compunction
Example sentences
- "The ruthless executive had no compunction about firing loyal workers to bolster profits." Corporate ethics narrative
Memory hook
COMPUNCTION is like a 'punctured' conscience—a sharp needle prick of guilt. A sharp prick of conscience.
When not to use
Rarely used to describe loud public displays; it refers to an internal prick of conscience.
Fun facts
- The root 'pungere' also gives us 'acupuncture' (puncturing with needles) and 'poignant' (stinging to the emotions).
Related words
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