Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
-
- [kuh m-puhngk-shuh n]
- /kəmˈpʌŋk ʃən/
- /kəmˈpʌŋk.ʃən/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [kuh m-puhngk-shuh n]
- /kəmˈpʌŋk ʃən/
Definitions of compunction word
- uncountable noun compunction If you say that someone has no compunction about doing something, you mean that they do it without feeling ashamed or guilty. 3
- noun compunction a feeling of remorse, guilt, or regret 3
- noun compunction a sharp feeling of uneasiness brought on by a sense of guilt; remorse 3
- noun compunction a feeling of slight regret for something done 3
- noun compunction a feeling of uneasiness or anxiety of the conscience caused by regret for doing wrong or causing pain; contrition; remorse. 1
- noun compunction any uneasiness or hesitation about the rightness of an action. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of compunction
First appearance:
before 1350 One of the 20% oldest English words
1350-1400; Middle English compunccion (< Anglo-French) < Late Latin compūnctiōn- (stem of compūnctiō), equivalent to Latin compūnct(us), past participle of compungere to prick severely (com- com- + pungere to prick; cf. point) + -iōn- -ion
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Compunction
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
compunction popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 71% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.
compunction usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for compunction
noun compunction
- conscience — Conscience is doing what you believe is right even though it might be unpopular, difficult, or dangerous.
- pity — sympathetic or kindly sorrow evoked by the suffering, distress, or misfortune of another, often leading one to give relief or aid or to show mercy: to feel pity for astarving child.
- ruth — George Herman ("Babe") 1895–1948, U.S. baseball player.
- penitence — the state of being penitent; regret for one's wrongdoing or sinning; contrition; repentance.
- shame — the painful feeling arising from the consciousness of something dishonorable, improper, ridiculous, etc., done by oneself or another: She was overcome with shame.
Antonyms for compunction
noun compunction
- disdain — to look upon or treat with contempt; despise; scorn.
- happiness — the quality or state of being happy.
- indifference — lack of interest or concern: We were shocked by their indifference toward poverty.
- defiance — Defiance is behaviour or an attitude which shows that you are not willing to obey someone.
- mercilessness — without mercy; having or showing no mercy; pitiless; cruel: a merciless critic.
Top questions with compunction
- what does compunction mean?
- what is the definition of compunction?
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- what is the meaning of compunction?
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with c
- Words starting with co
- Words starting with com
- Words starting with comp
- Words starting with compu
- Words starting with compun
- Words starting with compunc
- Words starting with compunct
- Words starting with compuncti
- Words starting with compunctio
- Words starting with compunction