If you say that someone has nocompunctionabout doing something, you mean that they do it without feeling ashamed or guilty.
[disapproval]
He has no compunction about relating how he killed his father.
Synonyms: guilt, misgiving, qualm, scruples More Synonyms of compunction
compunction in British English
(kəmˈpʌŋkʃən)
noun
a feeling of remorse, guilt, or regret
Derived forms
compunctious (comˈpunctious)
adjective
compunctiously (comˈpunctiously)
adverb
Word origin
C14: from Church Latin compunctiō, from Latin compungere to sting, from com- (intensive) + pungere to puncture; see point
compunction in American English
(kəmˈpʌŋkʃən)
noun
1.
a sharp feeling of uneasiness brought on by a sense of guilt; remorse
2.
a feeling of slight regret for something done
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈpenitence, qualm
Derived forms
compunctious (comˈpunctious)
adjective
compunctiously (comˈpunctiously)
adverb
Word origin
ME compunccion < OFr compunction < LL compunctio, a pricking (in LL(Ec), the pricking of conscience) < L compunctus, pp. of compungere, to prick, sting < com-, intens. + pungere, to prick: see point
Examples of 'compunction' in a sentence
compunction
Hyde had had no compunction about stealing bread, dried meat, the donkey.
Thomas, Craig THE LAST RAVEN (2002)
He had no compunction about tricking her: Newman was in a cold and clinical mood now that he had a positive lead to follow.
Forbes, Colin COVER STORY (2002)
Anne obviously did not share her sister's compunction about frightening her mother.
Erskine, Barbara MIDNIGHT IS A LONELY PLACE (2002)
Joseph had come to accept his own medical masquerade so thoroughly that he felt no compunction about taking this project on.
Robert Silverberg THE LONGEST WAY HOME (2002)
(noun)
Definition
a feeling of guilt or regret
I had no compunction about stealing from my parents.
Synonyms
guilt
Her emotions went from anger to guilt in the space of a few seconds.
misgiving
qualm
I had a sudden qualm that all might not be well.
scruples
regret
He has no regrets about retiring.
reluctance
sorrow
remorse
She has shown no remorse for her actions.
repentance
They showed no repentance during their trial.
contrition
She is full of contrition and has vowed to change her ways.
penitence
She hung her head in mock penitence.
stab or sting of conscience
work out
Additional synonyms
in the sense of contrition
She is full of contrition and has vowed to change her ways.