Compunctious — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /kəm-ˈpəŋ(k)-shən/ com·punc·tion

Meaning & Definition of Compunctious

Compunctious (noun)

  1. anxiety arising from awareness of guilt
  2. distress of mind over an anticipated action or result
  3. a twinge of misgiving, scruple

Compunctious (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. feeling sorrow for a wrong that one has done

    "he appeared not the least bit compunctious about ditching his friends at the restaurant and leaving them to pay the bill"

    similar: apologetic, contrite, penitent, regretful, remorseful, repentant, rueful, sorry
    related: ashamed, shamefaced, sheepish, dolorous, grieving, lugubrious, mournful, plaintive, sorrowful, wailing, weeping, woeful
    opposite: impenitent, remorseless, unapologetic, unrepentant
    near: compassionless, cruel, merciless, pitiless, ruthless, unmerciful, shameless, unashamed

Related Entry: Compunction (noun)

Compunction is a different word from Compunctious. The synonyms below are for compunction, not for compunctious.

  1. an uneasy feeling about the rightness of what one is doing or going to do

    "throughout her school years she cheated without compunction"

    similar: misgiving, qualm, scruple
    related: conscience, distrust, doubt, dubiety, incertitude, misdoubt, mistrust, reservation, skepticism, suspicion, uncertainness, uncertainty, qualmishness, unease, uneasiness, reluctance, unwillingness, demur, fuss, objection, protest, question, remonstrance, aversion, disinclination, indisposition, guilt, regret, remorse, self-reproach, shame, contrition, penitence, repentance
    near: aplomb, assurance, certainty, certitude, confidence, conviction, self-assurance, self-confidence, sureness

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Compunctious

The most common words with a similar meaning to Compunctious:

apologetic, contrite, penitent, regretful, remorseful, repentant, rueful, sorry

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Compunctious

Words with the opposite meaning of Compunctious:

impenitent, remorseless, unapologetic, unrepentant

Related Words for Compunctious

ashamed, shamefaced, sheepish, dolorous, grieving, lugubrious, mournful, plaintive, sorrowful, wailing, weeping, woeful

Near Antonyms of Compunctious

compassionless, cruel, merciless, pitiless, ruthless, unmerciful, shameless, unashamed

Word Forms of Compunctious

Derived words: compunctious (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Compunctious

Middle English compunccioun, from Anglo-French compunction, from Late Latin compunction-, compunctio, from Latin compungere to prick hard, sting, from com- + pungere to prick pungent

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Compunctious

What does "Compunctious" mean?

"Compunctious" means anxiety arising from awareness of guilt. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: anxiety arising from awareness of guilt.

What is another word for "Compunctious"?

Other words for "Compunctious" include apologetic, contrite, penitent, regretful, remorseful, repentant, rueful and sorry. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Compunctious" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Compunctious"?

There are 20 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Compunctious". Common alternatives include apologetic, contrite, penitent, regretful, remorseful, repentant, rueful and sorry.

What is the opposite of "Compunctious"?

Antonyms of "Compunctious" include impenitent, remorseless, unapologetic and unrepentant. Near antonyms include compassionless, cruel, merciless and pitiless.

How do you use "Compunctious" in a sentence?

Examples of "Compunctious" in a sentence: "he appeared not the least bit compunctious about ditching his friends at the restaurant and leaving them to pay the bill".

Is "Compunctious" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Compunctious" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Compunctious"?

"Compunctious" is pronounced /kəm-ˈpəŋ(k)-shən/ and divided into syllables as com·punc·tion.

What is the origin of the word "Compunctious"?

"Compunctious" comes from Middle English compunccioun, from Anglo-French compunction, from Late Latin compunction-, compunctio, from Latin compungere to prick hard, sting, from com- + pungere to prick pungent. First known use: 14th century.