Compunction
[kəm'pʌŋkʃ(ə)n] or [kəm'pʌŋkʃən]
Definition
(noun.) a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed).
Editor: Rochelle--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) A pricking; stimulation.
(n.) A picking of heart; poignant grief proceeding from a sense of guilt or consciousness of causing pain; the sting of conscience.
Edited by Angelina
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Repentance, remorse, contrition, penitence, sorrow, regret, reproach of conscience, sting of conscience.
Editor: Val
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Contrition, penitence, misgiving, remorse, regret, sorrow
ANT:Satisfaction, self-complacency, assurance
Typed by Beryl
Definition
n. uneasiness of conscience: remorse: regret: pity.—adj. Compunc′tious feeling or causing compunction: repentant: remorseful.—adv. Compunc′tiously.—Without compunction with no feeling of sorrow or regret.
Editor: Trudy
Examples
- And will he sell his own fairer and diviner part without any compunction to the most godless and foul? Plato. The Republic.
- Now he was smitten with compunction, yet irritated that so trifling an omission should be stored up against him after nearly two years of marriage. Edith Wharton. The Age of Innocence.
- It may be that he pursues her doggedly and steadily, with no touch of compunction, remorse, or pity. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- But they were generally accompanied by a sense of compunction and self-abasement of which Newland Archer felt no trace. Edith Wharton. The Age of Innocence.
- If they fire, Watson, have no compunction about shooting them down. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
- Will the creature feel any compunction at tyrannizing over them? Plato. The Republic.
- Will had bruised her pride too sorely for her to feel any compunction towards him and Dorothea: her own injury seemed much the greater. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- I had little doubt then, and I have less doubt now, that he would have knocked me down without the least compunction, if I had hesitated. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- I could take a human life, if necessary, with far less compunction than that of a poor, unreasoning, irresponsible brute. Edgar Rice Burroughs. A Princess of Mars.
- Gerty paused with sudden compunction. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- Why, then they have some compunction, and are for making up matters with Heaven. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- Hers was not the nature to spare him, and she had no compunction. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- Apparently with no compunction, and assuredly with no ceremony, Bella tossed her bonnet away, and sat down to make the tea. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- It was horrid of me to say that of Gerty, she said with charming compunction. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- Has he so little pity or compunction? Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- I must confess,' says the mild little gentleman, coming to his answer by degrees, 'that I felt some compunctions when Mr Fledgeby mentioned it. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- This was no time for fine compunctions, nor for a chivalry that these cruel demons would neither appreciate nor reciprocate. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
Checked by Fern