An old proverb says "a guilty conscience needs no accuser," and it's true that the sting of a guilty conscience—or a conscience that is provoked by the contemplation of doing something wrong—can prick very hard indeed. The sudden guilty "prickings" of compunction are reflected in the word's etymological history. Compunction comes (via Anglo-French compunction and Middle English compunccioun) from Latin compungere, which means "to prick hard" or "to sting." Compungere, in turn, derives from pungere, meaning "to prick," which is the ancestor of some other prickly words in English, such as puncture and even point.
penitence implies sad and humble realization of and regret for one's misdeeds.
absolution is dependent upon sincere penitence
repentance adds the implication of a resolve to change.
repentance accompanied by a complete change of character
contrition stresses the sorrowful regret that constitutes true penitence.
tearful expressions of contrition
compunction implies a painful sting of conscience especially for contemplated wrongdoing.
had no compunctions about taking back what is mine
remorse suggests prolonged and insistent self-reproach and mental anguish for past wrongs and especially for those whose consequences cannot be remedied.
qualm implies an uneasy fear that one is not following one's conscience or better judgment.
no qualms about plagiarizing
scruple implies doubt of the rightness of an act on grounds of principle.
no scruples against buying stolen goods
compunction implies a spontaneous feeling of responsibility or compassion for a potential victim.
had compunctions about lying
demur implies hesitation caused by objection to an outside suggestion or influence.
accepted her decision without demur
Example Sentences
a brutal murderer who killed without compunction He feels no compunction about his crimes. He has no compunctions about his crimes.
Recent Examples on the WebTrump apparently feels no compunction, as a former President, about questioning the legitimacy of the nation’s courts or the rule of law. Steve Coll, The New Yorker, 5 June 2022 Lloyd has no compunction about kidnapping Fitzroy’s niece (Julia Butters) as leverage, for instance. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 14 July 2022 In the end, Johnson was, is, an entitled, charismatic politician, who has felt the rules were made for others, and had no compunction about fabricating stories to get his way. Frida Ghitis, CNN, 12 July 2022 Two, the British Tories have an ingrained culture of stabbing their leaders in the back and in the front without compunction.NBC News, 10 July 2022 The Biden administration still has the opportunity to determine definitively who killed Shireen Abu Akleh and turn her case into a deterrent for those who might otherwise have little compunction about murdering members of the press. Yasmeen Serhan, The Atlantic, 7 June 2022 The man who had no compunction whatsoever about slaughtering children left a woman who just tried to kill him alive. Erik Kain, Forbes, 15 June 2022 For me, reciting the compunction statement became a prayerful reckoning with herself. Jennifer Maas, Variety, 4 June 2022 Their love had cooled, and Ms. Smart showed little compunction in letting someone take her place.New York Times, 19 May 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle English compunccioun, from Anglo-French compunction, from Late Latin compunction-, compunctio, from Latin compungere to prick hard, sting, from com- + pungere to prick — more at pungent